291 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"…Is this a brush?" Lim Ha Yeon picked up a brush that, at first glance, looked expensive. “It’s nothing special. Let’s just clean up quickly.” Kang Yoon Ho spoke nonchalantly, trying not to show any signs of discomfort. “This is clearly not just 'nothing.' Even at a glance, it's a masterpiece brush, meticulously crafted by an artisan.” People often think that as long as one's martial arts skills are high in stealth or shadow techniques, that's all there is to it, but that’s nonsense. What should be stolen? Which item is genuine? Which item is a luxury? As a gisaeng, Lim Ha Yeon learned the culture of the upper class, and through her education in thievery, she possessed an aesthetic sense higher than anyone else. The masterpiece brush she now held was one she could easily recognize. Crafted by an artisan by blending the advantages of high-quality animal hair, it was a masterpiece among masterpieces. She could easily deduce it was a ‘Geomho brush.’ “It is a fine brush, but really, it’s nothing. Please, hand it over.” Kang Yoon Ho tried to retrieve the brush from Lim Ha Yeon, but there was nothing he could snatch from the hands of a woman trained in theft and martial arts. “What’s with the sneaky approach? Do you think this is the right time for us to spend money on something like this?” His flustered reaction was telling. Just days ago, he had longed to buy a high-end brush he had seen. Ultimately, he couldn’t resist the temptation and bought it. Lim Ha Yeon sighed softly towards Kang Yoon Ho, recalling an event from a few days ago. ‘I even bought him soup to curry favor.’ She reminisced about how much she had inquired with the association members about what foods Joseon people liked. Although she didn’t mention anyone specific, she sought out food that he would particularly enjoy. Even after eating pork soup together, he had gone off and bought a luxury brush. She felt that her heartfelt efforts had been disregarded and looked at Kang Yoon Ho with a hint of resentment. “How many delivery worker salaries could this one brush cover, do you know? I manage the accounts, so where on earth did you get the money to buy such a luxury brush?” She knew he wasn’t someone who spent money frivolously. Surely, he must think it unfair. Still, she needed to reprimand him, no matter how much it hurt her heart. Because they were going through hard times. Steeling herself, Lim Ha Yeon spoke again. “It’s just… a gift.” What an unbelievable excuse. He might as well have said he had a secret stash of money. Could there be a hidden pocket he has aside for emergencies? These things need to be caught in advance. For his future and her own. Lim Ha Yeon spoke once more. "A gift, really? Who would give you such a lavish luxury brush as a gift... Ah..." The last daughter of Je Gal Se. Only one woman capable of such a gift flitted through Lim Ha Yeon's mind. “Haha…” Kang Yoon Ho’s awkward smile confirmed Lim Ha Yeon's suspicion. In that moment, she nearly bit her inner lip. “You got this from that woman?” “…It was from Je Gal Hyang.” Kang Yoon Ho, uncomfortable, averted his gaze. She should return the brush. She shouldn’t pry any further. That was the way to avoid getting more hurt. But isn’t human nature such that you want to touch wounds that bother you and scratch at scabs that itch? “Hm. She must be quite fond of you to gift such a luxury brush, huh?” A nasal tone, sharp as a blade, emerged from Lim Ha Yeon—not to stab Kang Yoon Ho, but herself. “There was a case of impersonation. She gave it to me, saying she didn’t apologize properly.” A woman doesn’t gift such an expensive luxury brush just to apologize. Lim Ha Yeon swallowed back the words that had risen to her throat. “Fine, then?” “I only intended to hold onto it. I didn’t really plan on using it.” Kang Yoon Ho, feeling sorry, scratched his head without lifting it. Lim Ha Yeon knew. She knew that in order to protect her, Kang Yoon Ho had met with Je Gal Se’s youngest daughter. That his feelings for her were sincere. He wouldn’t waver. But still… but still… ‘What if the woman Je Gal Hyang wavers?’ The masterpiece brush felt unbearably heavy, as if she could no longer bear its weight. “Why not use it? It’s a good brush.” In the end, Lim Ha Yeon handed him the brush and stormed out of the room, distancing herself as far as possible from her anxiety. ************* The estate of Man Geum Jeon Jang. “Heuh-hue-hummm.” A silver-haired beauty hummed a tune, sketching with an air of lightheartedness. Her clothing, entirely practical rather than stylish, was stained with ink in various places, but she didn’t mind and simply grinned with satisfaction. “Lady Je Gal Hyang, even after seeing Kang Gong Ja, you're not performing fan dances like before; you're calmly painting instead.” A maid, having just finished watering the plants in Je Gal Hyang's room, remarked to another waiting maid. “You didn't see since it wasn’t your turn to serve her for a few days." "Why? What happened?" "After meeting Kang Gong Ja, she was practically fluttering around with her fan." "Really? How happy could she be to do that?” Their chatter seeped through the slightly open door, reaching Je Gal Hyang’s ears. “Hehe. It’s all right.” Je Gal Hyang paid no mind to them. After all, there was truly joyful news. Enough to make her feel like flying away like a bird. The news was simple. “Kang Gong Ja actually accepted my gift!” Je Gal Hyang recalled the day she met Kang Yoon Ho. — “It feels like a novel with a guaranteed happy ending.” Je Gal Hyang murmured to herself softly at the high-end restaurant where she had arrived early, ensuring no one else could hear. Soon, she’d meet Kang Gong Ja. He’d come in with a smile and sit across from her. Je Gal Hyang, who had long avoided interactions with others, cherished this anticipated meeting with someone who listened to her, empathized, and truly understood her feelings. If anyone who knew Je Gal Hyang had seen her, they would have been left speechless with surprise. “一 I will make sure the staff doesn’t disturb you, so please take your time to look at what you want.” Je Gal Hyang, hiding her embarrassment, lowered her head as she glanced at Kang Yoon Ho, who was shielding her from the staff's gaze. ‘It feels strangely reassuring. It's different from being protected by the martial artists of my family.’ Je Gal Hyang lightly pounded her chest where Yoon Ho couldn’t see and started looking at the brushes. Brushes she adored. The interest shown by someone she liked in something she enjoyed. The rare opportunity to choose an item undisturbed by any staff interruptions. ‘In the end, I ended up being impulsive again.’ Why do I keep losing control despite my resolve to stay calm in front of Kang Gong Ja? It makes it seem like when I said I wasn’t good at talking to people, it was a lie. Je Gal Hyang blamed herself but couldn’t help it. She wanted to make a good impression on Kang Yoon Ho. He didn’t feel like a stranger. She wanted to earn his favor by enlightening him about things he didn’t know. Lacking conversational ability, especially in front of someone this intriguing, was an area outside her control. 一 How can you feel embarrassed enlightening me on something? I’m not familiar with brushes; I’d love to hear your explanations on other things too, Je Gal Hyang So Je. Like an arrow to the heart, Kang Yoon Ho’s gentle words pierced deeply into Je Gal Hyang. ‘I want to give a gift to Kang Gong Ja.’ A masterpiece brush even appreciated by Je Gal Se’s youngest daughter. To express the overflowing goodwill within her, Je Gal Hyang ultimately held out the brush to Kang Yoon Ho. “I appreciate the sentiment, but there's no need to gift me such an expensive brush.” Kang Yoon Ho’s polite refusal. Usually, Je Gal Hyang would have been quickly disappointed and given up. Yet, she wanted to give a gift—not just to anyone, but specifically to Kang Yoon Ho. “Th-that impersonation incident, you knowoo…” That feeling prompted Je Gal Hyang to muster her courage. “The impersonation incident…? Ah, since I’m set to receive profits from the Daseogak branch, you need not apologize more.” “That, that was arranged by my grandfatherooo.” She hadn’t apologized properly yet. Despite apologizing again and again whenever they met, it felt insufficient—an excuse but not quite an excuse from Je Gal Hyang. “I understand your intentions, Je Gal So Je. But I’ll just accept the gesture.” “……” An overly expensive brush he couldn’t accept. Even as Kang Yoon Ho refused, Je Gal Hyang tightly shut her eyes and continued to offer the brush. “So Je?” “……” Even as Kang Yoon Ho continued to refrain from taking it, Je Gal Hyang trembled, yet her hand remained extended. “Then… I shall use it well.” In the end, with no choice, Kang Yoon Ho accepted Je Gal Hyang’s gift. “Hehe, yesss!” Kang Gong Ja accepted her present. Je Gal Hyang smiled joyfully, opening her eyes. The beauty of her smile startled Kang Yoon Ho momentarily, though she was too unaware to notice. ‘I gave a gift to Kang Gong Ja. It wasn’t much, but still… I might have expressed something more.’ What exactly had she expressed? It was too embarrassing for Je Gal Hyang to say, but she stood proudly with the brush in front of the counter. Reaching into her pocket to pay before handing it beautifully to Kang Gong Ja—though only a simple task of purchasing from a store, it was a tremendous step for her. Of course, her dream was cruelly shattered as soon as she reached the counter. “Excuse me, miss. You’re a bit short on cash.” “Th-then if I sell my-my-my purse, won’t that make up for itoooooo?” —– 一I shall use it well. She had sneaked out in a hurry, only remembering her essentials but forgetting her money before coming out. If not for Kang Gong Ja’s daring negotiation, she wouldn’t have been able to purchase it at all. Je Gal Hyang recalled the slightly awkward finish to the event from a few days prior. “Hehe, Kang Gong Ja. Kang. Gong. Ja.” Surely he’s using it. He’s sitting assertively, with an intellectual expression, ready to jot down notes, when he suddenly marvels at the feel of the brush she gifted him. Although it seems to jot strongly, the brush fluidly and vigorously flows across the paper, surprising him momentarily. Then… then, like a little bird embarrassed, Je Gal Hyang tenderly opened her mouth with her eyes tightly shut. “I-I hope he’d think of me a bit too. Ah!” Embarrassed, Je Gal Hyang knocked her head against the desk. Her head may hurt, but her lingering thoughts were unchanging. That he would think of her when using the brush. That this time, his reply wouldn’t be delayed. Contrary to her hopes, both the giver and the recipient ended up recalling Je Gal Hyang at unexpected moments. *************** This is troublesome. I accepted it because I couldn’t simply refuse. The foremost martial family heiress in Hubei reminds one of a chaebol family’s youngest daughter's gift in modern terms. Surely, even if the brush is expensive, to her, it was probably no more than an equivalent of a common holiday gift set with a cost-performance rating of 5. Of course, both the giver, receiver, and onlookers might interpret this luxury differently—I understood that much. So I stashed it away in a drawer. Especially in front of Lim Ha Yeon, I had no intention of flaunting it. She undergoes hardships without drawing a salary. Yet it escalated into this mess. “Lady Ha Yeon.” Perhaps she was less angry than I thought. Thankfully, she was processing documents in the office, first thing in the morning. I spoke to her, perceiving a faintly edgy atmosphere. “……” “Lady Ha Yeon.” “……” So this is how it is. That stings even more. Sighing softly, I rose from my seat and murmured just loud enough for Lim Ha Yeon to hear. “Well, I guess I’ll have to head out alone…” “W-who are you meeting… No, that’s not it! Where are you going?!” At last, she reacted. Lim Ha Yeon jumped up, startled, staring at me intently. “There’s a Korean celebration tonight for the opening of the inn. I thought I’d check on the preparations.” “I’ve already sent people ahead. They’ll ensure everything is ready without us having to go.” “Thank you for your efforts. Let’s head there later together.” “…Is that what you were going out for?” As I spoke with a smile, Lim Ha Yeon turned her head, glancing sideways at me, and asked, "Is there anything else? And a guest is supposed to arrive soon, perhaps in a day or two." "A guest? What kind of guest?" "A guest that will surprise even you, Lady Ha Yeon…" Just then, the door to the office swung open, and a clerk walked in. "Master! A guest from Man Geum Jeon Jang has arrived." “The guest was from Man Geum Jeon Jang?” Why did she speak with such a sharp, intimidating tone? “It’s someone else… What business could they have from Man Geum Jeon Jang? Bring them in.” “Greetings, Kang Gong Ja.” A neatly dressed representative from Man Geum Jeon Jang entered the office and greeted me. “What brings you here? I thought there was still time left for the second verification.” “I’m not here regarding the test today.” “In that case?” Every time they visit, it feels like they've come to drop a bombshell, so hearing they’re from Man Geum Jeon Jang always makes me anxious. Could they possibly be setting up a preliminary test like a '1.5th exam' or something? I watched Man Geum Jeon Jang’s representative with a slightly tense expression, wondering what he was about to announce. Thankfully, the man smiled and delivered some eagerly awaited news. “The construction of the Daseogak branch is nearing completion. Please set a date to visit with Lady Je Gal Hyang and take a tour.”