Ch 314 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Opening Preparations – 4 “Are you instructing us to recruit people who are willing to be burden bearers?” Before three brothers could live together, there was a task that needed to be done in advance. I summoned Choi Il Gu, Lee Gu, and Sam Gu, who oversee the labor of Korean porters, to my office. "That's right. Find those who are strong and can save their own necks in critical situations." “Isn’t this recruitment for something dangerous?” Burden bearers handle the packages for postal parties. Even if a bearer exits this world during work, there's no room for regret or attachment. Because of this, unlike regular couriers, burden bearers were sometimes recruited on an irregular basis. Although it pays well, the job is generally risky, leading many to avoid it. I shook my head, refuting Sam Gu's suspicion. “I’m recommending people because there’s an open position for a burden bearer at Seocheon Postal Office. It shouldn’t be as dangerous as the smaller postal offices.” While it is true that couriers face bandits, mysterious experts targeting valuable packages, and even tigers and wolves, Seocheon Postal Office's reputation should mean relatively less risk. “Seocheon Postal Office? Are you talking about the office that's said to require an exam even for burden bearer positions?” The three brothers showed surprised expressions simultaneously, as though they were prepared for my words. “No exam, really.” “Isn't this the postal office run by Sacheondangga? It may not have much influence here, but I’ve heard that in Sichuan Province some ordinary couriers wish even to be bearers at Seocheon Postal Office.” “Really?” I heard they paid well, but was it to that extent? “You truly are our leader!” “The famous Korean courier chief!” “Becoming our leader, you constantly seek opportunities for Koreans....... Brother, you are truly.......” Were they that moved? Faced with the brothers' emotional gazes, I couldn't help but smile. This is a place teeming with discrimination against those with black hair. While it’s barely enough to keep the mouth fed by engaging in menial labor, finding a decent job is difficult. In the few months since I became the leader, I secured unloading work, delivery jobs, positions in inns, at guesthouses, and even burden bearer jobs, eventually promising courier positions. These days, even walking down the streets of Wuhun, Koreans bow and greet me for no reason. “And you need to keep this under wraps.” Now that I have scattered an enticing bait, it’s time to get to the main point. “What do you mean by keeping it under wraps?” “It’s because of your sister-in-law.” Leaning back on the table, I spoke with a somewhat worried expression, propping my chin on one hand. “Are you talking about the trouble of managing two sides?” “Bro, you were too greedy. How could you think of keeping such beauties at both your sides? Especially beauties of that caliber have their pride.” “True. Especially with Jegealse involved. Our leader, you are truly fearless.” No, not that. News sure travels fast. “Not my rumor. I’m talking about your sister-in-law being in trouble.” I held back the urge to mention ‘splitting my legs apart’ already being resolved. “Our sister-in-law? Are some ruffians bothering her?” “What?! Hold on. I’ll gather the guys.” “Just say the word, leader! Who are those guys?” The brothers, reacting as though their elder sister was being harassed by gangsters, furiously responded. These Hyanguhui people seem to cherish Lim Ha Yeon more than me sometimes. “It’s not that. Isn’t your sister-in-law an exceptionally capable woman?” “Yes. Certainly. But what's the relevance?” With a stiff expression, I surveyed the concerned trio before speaking. “There are people planning to kidnap your sister-in-law.” “Our sister-in-law?!” “You know how crucial your sister-in-law is to the delivery business. Apparently, someone from the underworld is asking around about who handles Kio-in Sue.” I didn’t need to go as far as revealing Lim Ha Yeon’s former courtesan identity. Connecting Lim Ha Yeon's personal crisis with Hyanguhui’s crisis. Naturally, protecting Lim Ha Yeon becomes synonymous with safeguarding Hyanguhui. “Damn those Central Plains bastards! Always trying to suck us dry whenever we get a bit of honey.” “Though we always advised against being too loose-lipped, they seem to be actively asking around this time. If anyone asks whether you know a woman with pink hair or manages Kio-in Sue, deny it.” “Yes. We will instill it firmly among the Hyanguhui members.” “We didn’t divulge anything about us to those Central Plains folks. Nothing should have slipped out.” “After all the help sister-in-law provided, we must protect her. I’ll make sure to inform everyone.” The Sam Gu brothers, pounding their chests confidently, assured me things were under control. My reasoning for not stopping people from referring to Lim Ha Yeon as a sister-in-law was exactly this. A community organized by ethnicity has its pros and cons, chiefly, its cohesion. Now that Lim Ha Yeon has merged into Hyanguhui, they will likely protect her as one of their own. Of course, such proactive behavior was largely due to Lim Ha Yeon’s natural affinity, though. “Right. This matter concerns all of Hyanguhui. Whether you can protect your sister-in-law or not will determine if Koreans in Wuhun can sleep with warmth and security. Make sure to notify them carefully.” “Yes, understood!” I firmly asked them to notify me should there appear any individuals poking into Lim Ha Yeon’s trail. ‘The web has been cast for those bandits.’ The bandits probably think they are closing in on Lim Ha Yeon by surveilling my surroundings. Their target is the sea. Their net of surveillance coincides with the spider web I have laid. The bandits cannot avoid Hyanguhui’s watchful eye to trace Lim Ha Yeon's whereabouts. All reports from Hyanguhui end up on my desk. Adjusting the plans in tune with the signals from the web is how it works. This formidable strength comes naturally with being the leader of Korean Hyanguhui in Wuhun. "Leader!" “What now?” “I have a piece of secret advice. Seeing as you might just be able to pull it off, I thought I’d share it with you.” Choi I-Goo stared at me with the determination of a loyal general ready to offer sage advice, pondering as I was. Could he possibly have good advice regarding Lim Ha Yeon? "Go on." “If you ever wish to have two women in bed, there’s a method. First, wear them both out in their separate beds, then sneak them into one bed and satisfy them again…” "Leave." ****************** In Mang Geum Jeon's residence. “Ohh... What do I doooo.” The silver-haired beauty, Jae-Gal Hyang, returned to the residence only half a day after being expelled, clutching her head and rolling on the floor in distress. "Yesterday, when Kang Gongja accompanied her to the front gate, she performed a fan dance, but why is she like that today?" “Indeed. Today she seems so sullen. Last night, she was all nervous until Kang Gongja saw her off. But as soon as she got to her room, she had a grin from ear to ear.” Jae-Gal Hyang couldn’t stop her worrying, even as the maids’ chatter drifted in from outside the door. When she was thrown out, she was truly lost on where to go, but she was secretly thrilled when Kang Gongja suggested living together. Until she recalled leaving Kang Gongja’s company the previous day, she basked in joy. Reflecting on the day's events led her to a beaming smile, but then her head drooped down. The problem arose when Kang Yoon-Ho saw her off for the last time. "I'm looking forward to our exchanged diaries." Jae-Gal Hyang mustered just enough courage to propose starting an exchange diary. Kang Yoon-Ho sounded genuinely excited, prompting her nodding agreement and the start of her effort to write one. That is, until she realized the most critical fact. “I’ve been homebound every day, so there’s barely anything to write in the exchange diaryyyy!” Despite being shy, she liked the idea of sharing honest feelings through an exchange diary. She liked being the object of Kang Gongja's anticipation. Staring with blame at the blank paper, she lamented. “Just writing that I read books and drew pictures every day isn’t exactly thrilling, is it?” Fifteen days ago: read a book and slept. Ten days ago: drew a picture and slept. A week ago: found a book interesting, drew its scenes, and slept. Her daily life, confined to her room, repeated itself over and over. If someone asked her what she did a week or a month ago, she'd have no trouble answering. It was always the same routine. “What should I doooo.” In frustration, she rolled on the floor and stamped her feet, uncertain whether to write about the time spent with Kang Gongja. But no, that felt like exposing too much of her heart. Even though there was nothing else to write about, she wondered if she should write her innermost thoughts from her time with Kang Gongja. For a moment, she imagined Kang Yoon-Ho reading her diary. "So, that's what you thought at the time. You might be more pathetic than I expected." “Ah! Ah ah ah!” Jae-Gal Hyang repeatedly banged her head on the floor. No, such comments would be unbearable. “I don’t want him to think I’m a pathetic woman.” Though she believed herself to be one, she couldn’t bear the idea of receiving such judgment from Kang Gongja. Under usual circumstances, she might have overcome embarrassment and written it out. After all, with little else to document, sharing their inner worlds might have seemed a reasonable way to understand each other. If it weren’t for that one woman. “She’s reeeaaally pretty, though.” Jae-Gal Hyang thought of Lim Ha Yeon, the assertive sister always by Kang Yoon-Ho’s side. She seemed so composed and smart. She couldn’t understand why this sister seemed to dislike her. Jae-Gal Hyang was unable to forget Kang Yoon-Ho’s expression when talking about Lim Ha Yeon. "Ha Yeon is the lady who helps me the most." His face showed trust and assurance that Jae-Gal Hyang had never seen before. “I also want to be someone Kang Gongja can rely on.” When Kang Gongja spoke of Ha Yeon, it made her heart twinge with jealousy. Would writing the diary expose more of her foolishness? Especially with such an impressive sister around. The thought of keeping the diary exchange began to intimidate her. “Perhaps I should abandon the exchange diary since we’ll be living together.” Since living together would mean plenty of conversation, there might be no need for written words. Talking with a man wasn’t something she had ever done before. It was her first time having someone listen and validate her thoughts, keeping the clerk’s scoldings at bay thanks to Kang Gongja’s presence. If she recorded such thoughts, would he see her as pathetic? Lost in thought, Jae-Gal Hyang wondered. “After all, in the mornings, I’ll see Kang Gongja’s face. Hmph.” Waking up to find Kang Gongja there, and rubbing her sleepy eyes as he stood before her, seemed endearing enough. Jae-Gal Hyang tried to comfort herself with the vision of seeing Kang Yoon-Ho every morning. "Jae-Gal So-Jah, have you risen? Shall we dine together?" Imagining asking the bare-chested Kang Gongja a question after he chopped firewood was tantalizing. “Hmph hmph. That’s so embarrassing.” Jae-Gal Hyang playfully covered her eyes with both hands, mumbling to herself. But she couldn't stop imagining pleasant scenarios of living with Kang Yoon-Ho. Until she was summoned by Mang Geum Jeon regarding her cohabitation arrangements. “Aha!”