Ch 313 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Preparation for Opening - Part 3 Perfect. Naroon's tightening surveillance, the problem of Im Ha Yeon's escape as a courtesan. Man Geum Jeon Ju's interference in romance, the issue of Jae Gal Hyang being kicked out from the residence. Is there a way to break through all these obstacles and solve them at once? Suddenly, a scheme crossed my mind in front of Man Geum Jeon Ju. "If the three of us live together, that's it." If the three of us move into a safe house together, not only would the threat from Ha Om Mun cease, but so would Man Geum Jeon Ju's meddling in romantic affairs. Both have their issues, but if brought together, it creates a massive advantage. It's like forming a perfect pair of wings by bringing them together. "You two are my wings." I looked at the two women, who had peculiar expressions on their faces, with a satisfied smile. If the three of us join forces, we can overcome the crisis in Mu Han and soar towards the frontier. "Let's live together, the three of us." I repeated my flawless plan to the two women. However, to my proclamation, they did not respond. Why do their faces look like that despite the perfect plan? Why are both of their expressions so stiff? Just nod your heads once. Maybe it's too sudden. I waited calmly for their response. And finally, "What are you talking about?!" "Ugh!" I was immediately struck with a surprise blow. "Kaaangg Goong Jaaahhh……." "Haha……. Jae Gal So Jeo?" I was met with a gaze filled with resentment. "You! Get out of my room!" I was kicked out. —————————- “Where did it go wrong?” I sat in a corner on the first floor of the tavern, clutching my head. For both of them to band together and kick me out of the room, that's too much, isn't it? "Tsk, tsk, tsk. I knew this would happen." As I sat disheartedly, I overheard the staff whispering from the corner. "I mean, does it make sense to bring another woman into the room when you already have a wife?" "Hey. You don't even know what's going on! How dare you speak ill of our master?" "What do you mean, don't know? If two women went in and a man came out, there's only one scenario, right? Trying to juggle two women and got found out, right?" "I heard the shouting while observing the third floor earlier, it seemed he proposed they all live together and got rejected." "What? Our master?! You're kidding, right?" One diligent worker, who had been defending me, was so surprised he asked me directly. "It's true. Surprisingly, that's a fact." A lot may be left unsaid, but it's the truth. It hurts, but what's true is true. "……Consider it fortunate you weren't kicked out in your underwear." The cold eyes of the tavern staff all pierced me at once. No, I'm telling you it was a perfect plan. ——————————– “Lady Ha Yeon. Please open the door. Lady Ha Yeon.” After giving her ample time to cool down, I went to knock on Im Ha Yeon's door first. “Lady Ha Yeon. The cook's made pancakes with care, with maple syrup as well. Let’s eat before it gets cold.” I even brewed some iced Americano. Please, just open the door. Is this how the church people feel when they go evangelizing on a holiday? I can hear movement inside, but they show no intention of coming out. I can't give up. You have to become the kind of evangelist, or rather superconductor, like Kang Yun Ho, who keeps knocking until the door opens. “Lady Ha Yeon. Just open the door once.” I can explain everything, you know. However, the firmly shut door, like a message left unread by the woman I fancy, showed no sign of changing. Is the world of superconductivity really so distant and treacherous? It seems Im Ha Yeon's anger hasn't subsided yet. I couldn't help sighing softly before murmuring at the door. “Then I shall visit Jae Gal So Jeo first.” “Going where?!” Thud, thud! Suddenly, I heard a flurry of movement from within the room. Oh my, could it be? Like the barely opening door to a person's heart, the door slowly creaked open. Im Ha Yeon, with her dissatisfied pout, looked me up and down disapprovingly before finally speaking. “...Come in.” “Thank you.” I stepped lightly into the well-organized room of Im Ha Yeon. “Sigh. How did I end up with such a man… Sigh…” Does she not like my brazen entry? As she let out a small sigh looking at me, she pulled out a chair. “Uhm, Lady Ha Yeon.” “What on earth were you thinking? Explain yourself.” “I can explain everything. If you listen calmly, Lady Ha Yeon, you’ll understand.” I lacked explanation. My heart raced, considering it such a great plan. “If you were in the same position, hearing someone propose living together calmly—! No, just tell me.” I’ve already devised a plan to persuade them. First, no revealing personal desires. Waking up in the morning, yawning, and going to the living room to see two beauties who could wake you up—I can't mention wanting to feel superior by having both of them in a carriage on the way to work, or wishing to eat dinner together after work. No revealing personal desires. At times like this, erase myself first. The most important thing is justification. Present the strongest justification that can persuade her. “Everything's for you, Lady Ha Yeon.” I gazed at Im Ha Yeon as if I were a person thinking of no one else. “For me?” “The net of Naroon's surveillance is closing in. It's only a matter of time before the Naroon discovers your whereabouts, Lady Ha Yeon.” Stimulate a sense of crisis. Ha Om Mun's Mu Han branch operates as a sort of oligarchy. The local lords work closely to govern their forces. Up to now, Si Mun Hyeong had kept the secret that Kang Yun Ho belonged to Si Mun, spreading disinformation to Naroon. But now the situation had changed rapidly. With Naroon now actively moving, I needed a new strategy. "Certainly, it is a dangerous situation." Im Ha Yeon nodded quietly. "Though you could handle Naroon's martial artists, Lady Ha Yeon, even the exposure to risk remains a problem. If your location is discovered, it means you could be caught at any time." Im Ha Yeon was like the queen in a chess game. She might face anyone, but the exposure to danger itself was the issue. "What does living together have to do with that?" Im Ha Yeon seemed to realize that there had been a misunderstanding, as her expression softened, and she asked me calmly. Great. Presenting a solid justification worked. Now it's time to convey how much effort I've put into everything. "I requested bodyguards from Man Geum Jeon Ju for your sake, Lady Ha Yeon." "For me?" I nodded at Im Ha Yeon's questioning look of surprise. "Bodyguards will be stationed at the residence. I obtained their protection by claiming that there are people targeting me and Jae Gal Hyang due to the Nokcheongpyoguk incident, but in reality, it's all for you, Lady Ha Yeon." The reason I demanded protection from Man Geum Jeon Ju was precisely for this. No matter how powerful a sect a part of Naroon may be, they cannot directly touch Man Geum Jeon Ju. Moreover, the youngest daughter of Je Gal Se Ga lives within the residence. A residence related to Je Gal Se Ga, the foremost martial family in Ho Beok Seong, and Man Geum Jeon Ju, the wealthiest man in Ho Beok Seong. Even if Im Ha Yeon's location were discovered, to touch a house where the three of us reside, the proponents of Naroon would risk everything. I slowly explained my plan to Im Ha Yeon. "For my sake…" Im Ha Yeon clasped her hands, gazing at me with eyes filled with emotion. "For me, it's far more comfortable eating, sleeping, and working here at the tavern. Why would I want the inconvenience of living in the residence with Lady Jae Gal, with whom things are awkward?" "Awkward… You should have told me earlier! I didn't understand at all…" Does she feel apologetic? Then I should make her feel even sorrier. "Everything is solely for Lady Ha Yeon." I smiled at her as if I were a boyfriend who would take all the anger and frustration of his girlfriend. Isn't it impressive that this whole plan was devised for you? "Are you alright from earlier?" "Haha. Don't worry about it. My skin's tough, so it's fine. I'm sorry for jumping straight to the conclusion." "You always…" Im Ha Yeon smiled as if she couldn't help it and sat beside me. Why try to squeeze two people into one chair? As I was about to fall, she grabbed my hand to pull me back up. Why not just sit in another seat? Not wanting to ruin the pleasant mood, I asked Im Ha Yeon once more. "Shall we live together, the three of us?" "Alright. Let's live together." ——————– One mountain climbed, another awaits. "Lady Jae Gal." Now it was Jae Gal Hyang's turn. I knocked on the office door, and since it wasn't locked, it opened easily. "Lady Jae Gal. I'll come in." Cautiously holding the food, I peeked inside the room. She's not here. Where could she have gone? I put the food down and glanced around the office, but she was nowhere to be found. Could she have left while I was talking with Im Ha Yeon? Or maybe it's like that strategy she used last time? "Kaaannng Goong Jaaahh." Neither. "Lady Jae Gal. You were under the desk. Please have a seat here." Under the desk in the office, Jae Gal Hyang crouched with a somber look on her face. Come out quickly. A businessman and a beauty under the desk—it would certainly appear suspicious to others or someone particularly fond of specific genres who might misinterpret the scene. "..." She looked like a sulking puppy that didn't get to go for a walk on a rainy day. Begrudgingly, Jae Gal Hyang sat on a chair. "Lady Jae Gal, it seems I spoke in haste and created a misunderstanding." First, I offered my apologies to Lady Jae Gal. "A misunderstanding?" Once again, I presented the reason that it was all for the other party. "Yes. This entire plan was arranged for you, Lady Jae Gal." "For... for me?" "It seems Man Geum Jeon Ju found our relationship frustrating and thought of a drastic measure. Since he sent you away, he suggested I act as if I knew nothing. But how could I possibly pretend not to know Lady Jae Gal?" "Hmph. I see." "But a significant issue arose." "An issue?" "We are in a contractual relationship, aren't we? If unmarried men and women live together, societal gossip would be inevitable. I don't want someone as beautiful and talented as Lady Jae Gal, a commendable candidate for marriage, to face any disadvantages because of this." "H- How commendable a candidate?" Unaccustomed to being called a commendable candidate for marriage, Jae Gal Hyang squirmed, visibly flustered. "Yes. It doesn't matter to me if vile rumors spread about someone like me. But I don't want any harm to come to Lady Jae Gal, a remarkable potential bride unmatched anywhere. Hmm?" I'm not doing this for myself. It's all for Lady Jae Gal So Jeo. As I tried to clarify, Jae Gal Hyang suddenly grasped my sleeve. What's going on? As I looked at Jae Gal Hyang, unable to meet my gaze with her flushed face, she closed her eyes tightly, avoiding eye contact. Did she not like my choice of words? Jae Gal Hyang soon mumbled, tugging on my sleeve tightly as she spoke to me. "Y- Y- You too, Lord Kang, are a g- good husband candidate..." Ah, now you've made me a bit embarrassed too. "Haha. Thank you. So, as I thought of a way, what came to mind was for the three of us to live together." The solution to avoiding intrusion upon Je Gal Se Ga and eluding Man Geum Jeon Ju's meddling. It was also the way to resolve Im Ha Yeon's issue—cohabitation. "With Sister Ha Yeon?" "Yes. Lady Ha Yeon is the one who supports me the most with business matters. No, she's indispensable to my business. She understands me better than anyone else. If we live together, we can claim it's for work, rather than simply being men and women living together." "The one who supports Lord Kang the most..." Maybe I emphasized Im Ha Yeon's competence too much. Jae Gal Hyang wore a complicated expression. "For me, living at the tavern is the most comfortable. However, in order to escape Man Geum Jeon Ju's interference and to not cause any trouble for Lady Jae Gal, I thought this the best course of action. If I caused any misunderstanding, I truly apologize." Once again, I apologized to her. Jae Gal Hyang looked thoughtfully at my bowed head, then gingerly asked. "F- For my sake... right?" "Of course. Living together would also make exchanging ideas about operating the Daseogak branch easier, and I'm looking forward to your exchange journals, Lady Jae Gal." "Let's go to places that are difficult for me to visit alone, help me run the bookstore, and keep exchanging journals.." "Let's live together. That's the best way to solve all our problems." As I looked at Jae Gal Hyang with a hopeful gaze, she seemed a bit overwhelmed and turned her head slightly before responding quietly. "Yes... then, sure..." ———————— "As planned." Finally, success in persuasion. I sent Jae Gal Hyang back to Man Geum Jeon Ju's residence to prepare for cohabitation and muttered to myself as I made my way back. Though significant issues arose at once, by combining the problems of the two women, I managed to achieve an even better outcome. Though it will be inconvenient for my commute to get longer. Now, there's only one task left. Gazing up at the pouring starlight, I shouted energetically. "Let's finally wrap up the opening of the Daseogak branch!"