Ch 317 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Preparing for Departure – 8 "They're looking into your sister-in-law." Someone had approached a Korean who was drinking at the inn last night, subtly asking about the woman with pink hair. An Suk-soo brought us this news after we finished breakfast. "So, they really are gathering information." Do-mun, as expected, was tightening the noose. “What should we do?” “I'll send a message to Simun Hyangju.” Even if there’s no clear solution, informing them of the situation is necessary. “Don’t worry about it. Everyone’s keeping it to themselves and being discreet.” *Sigh*... Lim Ha-yeon let out a small worried sigh. "Don’t worry too much. We’ll protect you somehow. We’re moving to the mansion today, so even if they find out, we won’t be in immediate danger." Unless the Do-mun guys have an outrageous level of guts, they won't dare touch the mansion. I helped Lim Ha-yeon don a veil and a bamboo hat, gathered our belongings, and headed to the mansion. ————— "Miss Jae-gal Hyang mentioned she had trouble sleeping and would be a bit late." "Haha, that’s understandable." After Lim Ha-yeon and I finished organizing everything, a guard informed us apologetically and disappeared. I remember spending my first night with mixed feelings of worry and excitement too. "Someone went through the trouble of moving all the baggage..." Lim Ha-yeon, still on edge from the Do-mun news, mumbled irritably. "I think Jae-gal So-jeo’s things have already been moved from Mangumjeon, so let’s do some martial arts training until Miss Jae-gal Hyang arrives." “What’s gotten into you?” "If I’m to protect Lim So-jeo, I need to become stronger." I feigned a playful grin. With the stress of the Do-mun situation and the move, a little humor was needed. “What, what are you talking about? Let’s do it in the main hall; it’s spacious there.” Lim Ha-yeon showed a moment of reluctance but soon started setting up training dummies in the main hall from the remaining luggage. Maybe it's time for me to get moving too. ————— "Keep moving, don’t stop!" "Oof!" I struggled with an unfamiliar routine, a situation requiring speed. Seeing a delay in my movement, Lim Ha-yeon mercilessly tossed a small stone at me. "Running, stop, throw, running, stop, throw—if you keep repeating that, it might work once but not twice." "When I focus on Muyeong Shinpao, I can't focus on Tang's stealth techniques." Could it be that martial arts from different schools aren’t compatible? I subtly hinted at it. “Muyeong Shinpao complements any martial art. Move as if you'd die if you stop.” Like a bus that explodes if it stops? Following Lim Ha-yeon's prelaid footprints, I moved again and continually launched concealed weapons. “Your hit rate seems rather low.” Even a seasoned pitcher struggles to consistently land in the strike zone while moving. Using the pinnacle of Muyeong Shinpao’s technique with Tang’s hidden weapon skills made hitting the target particularly challenging. "I told you—miss with the first and you won’t get a second chance. After that, it’s a battle of attrition. Keep moving to create openings as your opponent starts to defend." Lim Ha-yeon picked up several throwing knives and darted at a speed far surpassing mine, sinking all of them into nine targets. Why did I boldly claim I’d protect her with martial arts? “If possible, I guess it ends with the first strike.” Since it seemed impossible to launch nine concealed weapons while running, releasing them all at once and retreating might be the only solution. What should I name it? Nine-Dragon Strike? “Where do you think you’re sneaking off to rest?!” Let me catch a break. It felt good to be acknowledged as a ‘second-rate fighter,’ but martial arts training felt akin to climbing the ranks in a PVP game—it’s tough. I used to feel I was quite something in casual games, but entering ranked matches felt like the sky was eternally out of reach. “Hello there!” Just as I was about to get up under Lim Ha-yeon’s insistence, a familiar voice broke through. Is Jae-gal Hyang finally here? “Where do you think you’re entering?!” As Jae-gal Hyang stepped near the main hall, Lim Ha-yeon sternly chided her with a fierce expression. “Eek! I, well, just…” “Peeking at someone else's martial arts? Is the distinguished daughter of a noble clan dismissing the code of Jianghu?” “N-no, that’s not it…” "Jae-gal So-jeo arrived to pay respects. Would it be okay to converse after we finish training if it's not an urgent matter?" While it may seem Lim Ha-yeon was being harsh, Jae-gal Hyang was in the wrong here. Martial arts training is akin to a rough sketch for an artist or a draft for an author. Observing the techniques and flow of inner energy allows seasoned martial artists to understand and potentially mimic them, hence unauthorized persons viewing an ongoing martial arts practice is forbidden. A small mistake can be easily misunderstood in Jianghu. “…” However, Jae-gal Hyang did not return to her room but instead looked intently at Lim Ha-yeon. “Is there something you need?” Seemingly daunted by Lim Ha-yeon's forceful demeanor, Jae-gal Hyang bowed her head before timidly asking her a question. “S-so Ha-yeon sister is teaching Master Kang the family’s martial arts?" “Yes, that’s right. That’s why outsiders shouldn’t… shouldn’t…? Hmm…” Lim Ha-yeon tilted her head, producing a peculiar sound as she stared at Jae-gal Hyang. Seeing this, Jae-gal Hyang’s complexion darkened as she nervously spoke. “Su-sister might not be aware, but there are codes in Jianghu, you know…” “Yes, we know them well. And I’m abiding by them just fine.” “You’re saying you’re following them…?” Jae-gal Hyang murmured incredulously. What’s going on? As I started moving closer to the two, Lim Ha-yeon blocked me. “Now, would the out-si-der kindly leave?” “Ugh…” Lim Ha-yeon issued a firm dismissal. With her head lowered, Jae-gal Hyang retreated to her room. Couldn’t she have been advised more gently instead of sharply reprimanding? I should apologize to Jae-gal Hyang later when Lim Ha-yeon isn’t around. "Let's all work together well. Shall we discuss our plans ahead? Jae-gal So-jeo?" We gathered around the living room table. "………." Was I too harsh in sending her away just now? Jae-gal Hyang looked down with a slight hint of discontent on her face. Lim Ha-yeon, aren't you smiling a little too serenely? She's just a year younger; be kind to her. "Jae-gal So-jeo?" "Oh, yes!" "Were there any messages from Mangumjeon regarding the servants he’s sending?" "He didn’t mention anything like that." Mangumjeon old man. You said you'd have us live together, but then why not send any help? Don't tell me this is some silent message suggesting we create bonds on our own without spreading rumors? "The cleaning is one thing, but meals are a problem." Should I start dining at work? It’s fine for me as I can eat at the inn, but Jae-gal Hyang prefers staying home. "Can’t we just cook ourselves?" As I worried, Lim Ha-yeon casually proposed a simple solution, as if it was nothing. "Cook ourselves?" "Let’s take turns cooking. Sound good, Jae-gal So-jeo?" "Oh, um, b-but…" She clearly seemed unsure. "Oh my, can’t you cook despite being a woman?" "……." "If memory serves, Ha-yeon So-jeo, you..." You can't cook either. You mentioned back in Uch'ang that you hadn't learned to cook because you were a former courtesan. Why are you teasing her when you’re on the same level? "Hmm. The rice should be ready now anyway. Just wait a moment." Lim Ha-yeon winked and stood up. "What do you mean?" "You'll see." Lim Ha-yeon swiftly transformed the table, arranging a meal in no time. "Is that pork kimchi stew? Along with vegetable side dishes?" The spread before us was a perfect Korean meal. "Try it." What's this? "The taste is quite familiar." As I scooped up a ladle of kimchi stew, the familiar flavor overwhelmed me. "Does it remind you of home?" "It’s familiar, but it tastes like it’s from somewhere a bit closer." Specifically, about 30 minutes away. I grinned at Lim Ha-yeon. No wonder it came out so fast. At that, Lim Ha-yeon turned her head, seemingly guilty, and confessed. “Well, the kimchi was made by the chef, but I cooked the stew myself!” When it comes to kimchi stew, if the kimchi is good, that’s ninety percent of the dish. "The vegetables are quite familiar tasting, too." "I brought them from the inn." Making vegetable sides is a hassle, so I wondered when they were prepared. "Hehe." Jae-gal Hyang turned her head with a little chuckle. "Ah!" Why tease her like that? Lim Ha-yeon merely glared at Jae-gal Hyang, unable to get a word out due to embarrassment. "Thank you. It’s delicious. It’s a taste that reminds me of home." Regardless of who made the kimchi, Lim Ha-yeon cooked the meal. Come to think of it, is this the first time I've had a meal made by a woman other than family? "It seems the lessons I had from the chef paid off." Lim Ha-yeon rested her chin on her hand with a satisfied smile. "Did you learn to cook too?" "As a woman, one must know how to cook. Otherwise, I’d hear I’m not fit to be a wife when I marry, wouldn’t I?" She glanced sideways and made a subtle remark. "Ha-yeon So-jeo." "Hmph. Why?" I understand the mixed feelings towards Lim Ha-yeon, but don't start a hassle from the get-go. "Actually, those things..." "Jae-gal So-jeo?" "You could hire a housekeeper for those things." Jae-gal Hyang protested quietly, directing her words toward Lim Ha-yeon as though feeling wronged. "…Well, that’s true." Why are both acting so childishly? "Let's ask Mangumjeon to arrange for servants. With guards and servants, there shouldn't be any major issues in living here, so let’s move on to discussing the Da-seokgak matter." Seeing Lim Ha-yeon seem taken aback, I swiftly changed the topic to avoid further emotional conflicts. ********************** “The Hyangju wishes to see me privately, so I'll be going.” The message from Simun Hyangju arrived swiftly. “Shouldn’t I be coming too?” “They only requested me. I've ordered a carriage, so I'll be away for a while.” “Let me know what happens when you get back.” “Understood. Please, Driver, let's be off.” I urged Lim Ha-yeon to stay put in her mansion, boarded the carriage, and informed the driver of the destination. “Yes, of course.” Is the driver particularly skilled? Usually, you feel the road condition in your seat, but today it feels especially smooth. Subtle changes in the horse's direction suggest the driver is being considerate of the passengers. I began to wonder if I should purchase a carriage since we moved. After all, Lim Ha-yeon will need one for commuting in disguise. It won't be cheap. Hiring a private driver means paying a salary too. If I wanted to hire the driver up front, how much would it cost? "Hm? Seems like we're going the wrong way." Mesmerized by the driver's skills, I soon realized unfamiliar scenery passing by. This isn’t the right path. "……." "Driver! We're going the wrong way!" Being ignored? I thought the driver was skilled, but could they be like a cabby taking the long route to hike up the fare? As I stood and called out, the driver, without turning back, spoke briefly. "This is the right way." A deep, resonant voice that could compel even an angry passenger to sit. "..." A martial artist. I swallowed dryly without realizing it. So it wasn’t about the fare. I’d heard of bandits disguised as drivers. Did someone hear about the fortune I've accrued from a black-haired barbarian? Or is this the work of the Do-mun? Cautiously, I fingered the concealed weapons in my pocket. Should I try to subdue him with them? Or open the door and jump out? Or possibly both? "It's just that there's something to discuss, so we're taking a little detour. Don't be too tense." The driver spoke in a relaxed voice as if aware of my inner thoughts. "Who are you?" "I heard there's someone who’s caught the attention of that potbellied inn boy these days. Just thought I’d have a look." Potbellied inn boy. An inn clerk with small wages and an expectation for nimble movements having a belly isn't hard to identify. "I heard that Simun Hyangju hasn't personally served food in over a decade." "Haha, yet there are those who boast about having been served personally, so here I am, drawn to find out." Is he referring to the time I personally brought dessert after a meal? To have knowledge of such an incident... and it happened in the secluded inner chamber of Simun's base. Who in the world is this person? "Do you happen to enjoy gambling?" Could he be from the Do-mun? "I prefer gamblers to gambling itself. They tend to tip generously when they're in a good mood, and there's much to gain from those intoxicated fools in the pleasure quarters." The driver casually guided the horse, naturally eliminating two of the possibilities running through my mind. I think I know who he is. Currently, the most powerful factions within the vast Haomun of Wu-han are four: The Assembly of Courtesans. Kimon (妓門). The Gambler's Guild. Domun (賭門). The Innkeepers' Guild. Simun (侍門). If it's none of these, there's only one left. And to refer to Simun Hyangju as "that potbellied innkeeper" requires a certain status... I rose within the carriage, clasping my hands in a respectful gesture as I politely addressed the driver. "Greetings to Mamun Hyangju." The driver, a man in his prime, hails from Hubei's Haomun. The leader of all coachmen and carriage drivers. He is Mamun Hyangju.