308 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

**Delivery Mishap – 6** Who is the owner of the Daseogak branch in Wuhan? Is it me, who holds the management rights, or Ze Gahyang, who received it as a gift? The answer is neither. Currently, the true owner of the Daseogak branch is Man Geum Jeon Jang. We haven’t signed the transfer agreement yet, you see. Under orders from the head of Man Geum Jeon, Man Geum Jeon Jang was tasked to beautifully wrap the gift known as Daseogak and present it to his granddaughter. However, the contents of the gift were snatched away. And this happened in Wuhan, where Man Geum Jeon Jang's influence is the strongest. There's plenty of room for Man Geum Jeon Jang to intervene. As long as a small problem is resolved. "– If Gang Gong Ja's words are true, we plan to punish Nokcheong Pyo Guk in our own way. However, fundamentally, this issue is a mishap of Seocheon Pyo Guk's escort and a dispute between two Pyo Guk companies. We have no obligation to shed blood directly." "– Sounds like you're saying there's a lack of justification to use force." "– It’s not a simple matter to resolve, but I’ll admit part of it." "– Then let me provide you the justification." "– What?" "Everyone, draw your swords!!!" I brought Ze Gahyang to the heart of Nokcheong Pyo Guk and filled that tiny bit of lacking justification. ——————— “Is it really okay to stay like this?” In the midst of battle at Nokcheong Pyo Guk. I dodged the blind swords and headed to the location Ze Gahyang was leading me. It was a secluded, damp, and shady spot that seemed perfect for snails. This must be her first time here, but finding a spot to hide like a slacker veteran seemed almost instinctual. “Yes, yes. They won’t find us.” Ze Gahyang drew a few lines with some stones and string, then nodded approvingly. “A formation that hides the presence of people. How fascinating.” Formation. In martial arts novels, there are commonly two types of formations. The first type is one used to have a large group confront a smaller, stronger group. The most famous example is the Shaolin's Hundred and Eight Arhats Formation, where 108 individuals attack by taking numbered turns. Historically unbreakable, in fiction, this formation typically gets broken as soon as it's deployed, paralleling it with the flaw-riddled Skynet Formation. The second type creates special effects using natural or artificial objects, sometimes referred to as Mechanical Formations when combined with devices. Ze Gahyang's family is renowned for such formations; known as the originators, thanks to formations like Zhuge Liang's Eight-Trigrams Formation. “This is a formation that's only been spotted by one person outside our family, so it’ll be fine.” Ze Gahyang looked at me with a curious gaze. “This being my first experience with a formation, I can't help but feel slightly uneasy.” If a sheltered lady like her can spot it while family members could not, it seems practically ineffective. “Ah…my father acknowledged this formation too, so there's no worry of being discovered.” If even the head of the Zhuge family vouched for it, then I suppose it's reliable. “Miss Zhuge. Come to think of it, you mentioned having a request. Could you perhaps enlighten me on what that is?” Since you asked me to accompany you, I assume there was a request. “Ah, well, um… I'll tell you later.” Is it an embarrassing request to make right now? Certainly, with a full battle raging, this isn’t the best time to discuss it. Better to wait until things are settled rather than risk getting hit by a stray blade. Seeing no one interested in us amidst the ongoing chaos, I relaxed and observed. Man Geum Jeon Jang seemed to have the upper hand, but since Nokcheong Pyo Guk’s survival was on the line, they wouldn’t back down easily. “It seems that the Pyo-sa have kidnapped the young lady! Quickly, find her!!!” A warrior from Man Geum Jeon Jang approached our location. Did they find us? “Young lady! Where are you?” It appears the Zhuge family formation is indeed effective! Contrary to what I had anticipated, the warrior completely missed our presence. “You should reveal yourself now.” “...” “Miss Zhuge?” Turning to look, I found Ze Gahyang gazing up at me with flushed cheeks. “Huh?! Yes, yes?” “They’re calling for you in Man Geum Jeon Jang. You really should reveal yourself.” “C-could we wait just a bit longer?” Ze Gahyang clung to my sleeve with a strangely plaintive voice. “Haha. If not, too much blood might get spilled unnecessarily. You really should go.” If a false rumor spreads that something happened to her, the issue won't just end with Nokcheong Pyo Guk; it could escalate into a blood feud with Zhuhong Pyo Guk. “Yes.” “Miss Ze Gahyang!” As she stepped out past the lines she had drawn, the pyo-sa immediately spotted her. “The young lady is here!” “Miss Ze Gahyang! This way! We will protect you!” “If even a scratch is found on the young lady, none of you will be safe! Escort her!” “Ah, but, you see, Gang Gong Ja is here!” Ze Gahyang glanced toward me with a troubled expression. I suppose it's time for me to make my escape as well. Just as I was about to step over the line. “Young lady, let us ensure your safety first!” “We will locate Gang Gong Ja separately!” “Let’s move!” “Nooo, but that’s not it!” The people from Man Geum Jeon Jang swiftly whisked off the resistant Ze Gahyang. ————— “Well, they left in a hurry, didn’t they? Hah… goodness.” I murmured bitterly to myself, once more finding myself in the now-empty corner of Nokcheong Pyo Guk. They must have been in quite the rush. The evacuation process for a VVIP threatened by terrorism wouldn’t be as hurried as that. “The entrance is blocked. Guess I should scale the wall.” With Ze Gahyang gone, the formation won’t last much longer. I glanced up at the wall, taller than even Jeon Gil San's, likely due to Pyo Guk's heightened security. “Ugh!” It didn’t work. I landed back on the ground after failing to vault over the wall. Is it too high to leap over in one go? “I need something to step on.” Since I used a person as a stepping stone at Jeon Gil San's, if I can find something to push off from, I should be able to make it. “You scoundrel!” While searching for a makeshift stepping stool, I heard a voice filled with rage behind me. “What now?” Great, just what I needed. Three pyo-sa with swords had appeared behind me. “It’s the barbarian we saw from a distance earlier!” "Isn't this the guy causing all the trouble? If we capture him and use him as leverage, Man Geum Jeon Jang might back down!" Why do they show up as soon as my beginner's protection ends? Old hands are the same, whether in modern or martial arts worlds. This is why newcomers can't ever grow. "Haha. Gentlemen of the pyo-sa, it seems there’s been a huge misunderstanding..." Three of them with swords! I tried to calm them down with a warm smile and a wave. "Silence! We saw Man Geum Jeon Jang's pyo-sa move at your gesture from afar!" "Haha. I was merely delivering messages like a spokesperson. If I were someone significant, I wouldn't be here now, would I?" Just a misunderstanding, really. "We'll confirm if you're merely a spokesperson or something sinister ourselves." "If capturing this guy can turn the tide, then...!" It's more like you're about to get scammed rather than turning the tide. “Move left!” The three pyo-sa pressed in on me methodically from three directions. Experiencing one formation doesn't mean I'm ready for another straight away. Now that my novice period is over, it’s like a banquet of martial arts experiences is being served. “Sigh.” It can’t be helped. Running would just leave my back undefended. I need to confront them head-on. Calming myself, I placed one hand on my chest and the other aimed at the enemy. The pyo-sa crept up on me slowly. The moment I harnessed my inner strength, they charged as if in unison. Attack to the head, legs, and chest all come simultaneously. If a flying swallow had been there, it would have been sliced too. "What?!" I used neither an attack nor a defense, but an evasion technique. I employed the Shadowless Step, retreating explosively in one stride. Three startled gazes locked onto me. An opening! I drew a throwing weapon from inside my robe and scattered it in an instant. "Argh!" One was struck dead-on in a vital spot. “Damn barbarian trickery… Urgh?!” Another deflected some with his blade but couldn't stop the subsequent barrage. "Uwaah!" "Uugh!" “What in the…” Seeing his comrades now writhing on the ground, the remaining pyo-sa looked on in shock. “It’s paralyzing poison.” A special toxin crafted by the Tang family. For a first-rate warrior, enduring and expelling it with inner power might be possible, but given their immediate paralysis, these three are second-rate at best. “To think a vile barbarian would resort to such dirty tricks… The folks back in Sichuan would love to hear this.” I smirked, observing the pyo-sa struggling to articulate words. “You vile cur! Have you no honor! How can one claiming to be a martial artist resort to such dastardly means with throwing weapons?” The lone standing pyo-sa shouted in anger. Despite being in a pyo-scene handling business, do they consider themselves above using throwing weapons? “Pyo Guk master uses throwing weapons! Evacuate!!!” A loud shout echoed from a distance. “…” “Seems your superiors don’t share your sentiments.” “Never mind, it’s still cowardly!” “And attacking all at once with three isn’t?” “...” The pyo-sa glanced between his fallen comrades and me, then began retreating in hesitation. ‘It’ll be a problem if he escapes to call for reinforcements.’ Throwing weapons aren't infinite treasures, they're a cash item. Like FPS games have no unlimited ammo reloads; if I run out, I’ll have no weapons. What to do? I need to stop him here. Suddenly, I had a brilliant idea. "Very well. I’ll ditch my throwing weapons and only use this brush." I pulled a brush from my sleeve and directed it toward the pyo-sa. Flinching? This was a time to attack a man’s pride. “A brush? You mock me?” Excellent reaction. The retreating pyo-sa finally halted. “Mockery, huh? For a coward like you trying to run, one brush is more than enough.” “Is that brush you’re holding really not just a brush, but perhaps a ‘judgment brush’?” The judgment brush is an iron brush used for a point-centric martial technique. In martial fiction, carrying a judgment brush often meant embodying the cliché of an arrogant young master from the Zhuge family. “Well, who knows. Maybe it’s an axe, a spear, or even a bow.” Even if you're nervous, doesn’t this still look like a brush, not iron? Feigning the demeanor of an impolite young master, I once again extended the brush. “Fine! Now I’m being mocked by a mere barbarian! So be it! I’ll face you with all my strength!” Don’t go all out. In martial arts, it’s wise to withhold 30% of your strength for the unexpected. Maybe you should reserve about 70%. The pyo-sa grasped his sword again, glaring at me intently. Did he truly think my brush a threat? Instead of my arm, he charged as if to pierce my stomach. Why so fast? I might actually get hurt. “Hyahhh! What?!” Dashing at me, the pyo-sa was abruptly halted by a single throwing weapon released from the brush tip. “Focusing only on a single sword thrust left you blind to variables.” “You said… no throwing weapons…” “I said I’d only use the brush.” After all, the brush houses special Tang family throwing weapons. "Cheating scoundrel!” Sorry, can't hear you. The pyo-sa clutched his chest and fell to his knees. Soon, the potent paralytic poison will flow through his veins, and he’ll lose consciousness. What a fitting scene. I’ve got a line prepared for moments like this. With a composed demeanor befitting a martial arts master, I walked past the collapsing pyo-sa and remarked, “You’re slow… even at falling.” Learn this: If your skills are lacking, invest in cash items.