Ch 318 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

**Chapter Title: Opening the Door – Part 1** I'm kidnapped. "The rumors about the black-haired hero who solved the Nokcheong Pyo-guk incident don't seem to be exaggerated." The middle-aged man smirked as he confirmed my deduction. "It's just street talk." It's true. This must be Mamon Hyang Ju. What business could Mamon Hyang Ju have? I've always paid my fare diligently whenever I hailed a carriage. Could it be about that time someone mistook me for a clueless tourist and tried to overcharge me, only to end up begging for forgiveness? "Kang Yun Ho. 22 years old. Unmarried. Manager of Daseogak. Proprietor of Ungi Guesthouse. Friend to Dangga Poong Un, Ho Pil Writer. An esteemed guest of the Dangga family. Quite a prospect for any family looking for a worthy son-in-law." Mamon Hyang Ju rattled off my personal information as if conducting an investigation. You've sure done your homework. "If you've come to introduce me to a good match, I'm willing to meet with an open mind." So please, spare me. "Haha. You're an amusing young man. But alas, you don't have a better match than the youngest daughter of the Jegael House." He even knows about my meeting with the youngest daughter of the Jegael House, yet he's kidnapped me? I'm baffled. "If I might inquire why I'm being hauled around in the carriage of a barbarian like myself?" "Do you know why Hao Mun is disrespected in the martial world?" What an abrupt question. "Isn't it because it's a sect of lowly lives?" "Precisely, because they're lowly lives, they lack power. Since it’s not a sect formed due to martial arts, it’s only natural." "I've heard something like that." Imagine a waiter from Hao Mun. Despite earning top tips, they don't become a martial arts master just because they're highly praised. Martial skills must be diligently learned from a young age, not granted like a fortuitous encounter in novels. The little martial force Hao Mun possesses is mainly fighters hired by its leaders. It’s not known for its strength but for its information, which is meager. "But I've heard the sect has been up to suspicious activities with that rare martial force." Mentioning the Nokcheong Pyo-guk incident, I knew what he was referring to, so I kept silent. "And Si Mun moved as if waiting, while Gi Mun seems to have noticed something too. It seems the three are moving with the same purpose, yet none of them care to explain to an elder like myself. A little disappointing, really." "..." "It's amusing. Although young ones are in charge, shouldn’t they respect their elders? What's funny is that all indications point to one young man." No need to ask who he meant. "Who wouldn’t prefer to be the one aiming the arrow rather than being shot at? Yet, it's rare that things go as desired." I deliberately sighed and sat down resignedly. "Unfortunately, I've also brought an arrow." As if on cue with Mamon Hyang Ju’s words, the carriage door swung open, and two martial artists took a seat beside me. "What the?!" To think they would casually climb aboard a moving carriage that hadn’t even stopped. Are they fighters hired by Mamon Hyang Ju? "Kang Yun Ho. Any sudden moves, and you could get hurt." The pair, not rookies by any means, pressed small daggers to my flanks with natural ease. "I'd appreciate it if you'd share some recent stories of your life. In exchange, the fare won't be charged today." This is the approach you've chosen? ——————— People unfamiliar with martial arts often have this question. Why is the Beggars' Sect considered an orthodox sect while Hao Mun is deemed unorthodox? If it consists of lower lives, isn’t it a labor union? How could gathering unfortunate workers be labeled unorthodox? Are martial arts novelists teaching bourgeois ideology on the front lines of ideological education to prevent the proletariat revolution? No. In everyday life, a waiter might poison food, a courtesan might intoxicate with wine, a carriage driver might rob, and gamblers might engage in human trafficking. They're ordinary workers who wouldn't hesitate to commit crimes when the situation arises. That’s why it's considered unorthodox. "Mamon Hyang Ju." Damn unorthodox folks. I'm merely asking for an explanation, yet they're drawing blades. The virtuous Dang family would extend a hand, not point a sword. "It seems you're finally ready to talk. I hope your tongue is as smooth as your cunning." I took a breath, staring straight ahead at Mamon Hyang Ju driving the carriage. The Domun's attack on the Usan Branch. Im Ha Yeon, the sole survivor. And Im Ha Yeon's sole protector, Kang Yun Ho. How much should I divulge? How much do I need to say to safely step off this carriage? Many thoughts flashed through my mind, but only one conclusion stood firm. "Mamon Hyang Ju. I believe there are two kinds of information when one becomes a hostage." I must not show tension. I can't let them see fear. Knives pressed into my sides, but this is merely an annual event in this world. No. If it's labeled an event, it seems repeatable. Let's call it a funeral instead. With an utterly cold expression, I addressed Mamon Hyang Ju. "Two kinds?" "Information that saves you when disclosed and information that could kill you." "Ho-ho. And how do you see the current situation?" "For the sake of my neck's health, it's best I keep what's on my mind to myself." The conclusion was to say nothing. Mamon is not on my side. Moreover, they're the sort who would resort to kidnapping just to get a piece of information. If I slip and speak wrongly here, all my efforts to protect Im Ha Yeon would be for naught. "I've seen even the most tight-lipped become chatty when the carriage wheels reach their doorstep." Resorting to threats here, are we? Well, I have my ways too. "Would it matter whether it's the carriage wheels or knives at my sides if the result is the same? Rather, Si Mun Hyang Ju might be a bit displeased." "Displeased?" "I was heading to the guesthouse at Si Mun Hyang Ju's invitation, so I trust he’ll vent his wrath thoroughly once he finds out the truth." Mu Han Hao Mun operates under a kind of oligarchic governance. There’s no position higher than the Hyang Ju in Mu Han Hao Mun. **On the way to meet with Si Mun's invitation, Hao Mun-to was kidnapped by Mamon Hyang Ju and killed. This is a matter of pride that Si Mun Hyang Ju cannot simply overlook.** "Haha. Do you have a better card to play?" Mamon Hyang Ju smirked as he looked ahead. "I might not have the strongest card with me, but I do hold the most troublesome one." Isn't it better to have our friendly neighbor Si Mun than the distant Sichuan Dangga? Of course, given time, the Sichuan Dangga card could be in play too. I smirked, making it clear with my eyes that I had no intention of revealing anything, as I glanced at Mamon Hyang Ju. Let's see how he reacts. After some time driving us onward, Mamon Hyang Ju finally turned his head slightly to look at me. "Haha... You're amusing. Would you consider working under me?" It worked. "I'm still in debt to repay the kindness shown to me, so it's difficult for now." "Loyalty, wit, and nerve. That pot-bellied manager found someone worth cultivating. Fine, since he'd be upset, let's avoid doing anything tedious." "…" With Mamon Hyang Ju's signal, the two warriors dismounted the moving carriage. Are they from Tianzhu? How do they manage that? "Aren't you curious how I found out that Si Mun Hyang Ju gave you food?" Just as I pondered the idea of learning under Mamon Hyang Ju to effortlessly leap off mid-route metro without missing a stop, he inquired. "I'm all ears." "That pot-bellied fellow spilled it intentionally. His way of warning that attacking his people might earn enemies." "It's more credit than I deserve." "Thanks to that, those Domun folks aren't able to take extreme measures easily. Even so, they're definitely poking around." "I've heard as much." I was on my way to meet Si Mun when you kidnapped me. "I hope it doesn't escalate to infighting among Hao Mun members. Once a decade is enough for that." Mamon Hyang Ju turned to look at me again, speaking. "I understand Si Mun Hyang Ju is being extremely cautious." "Haha. As a gesture of apology, let me offer you a gift." "What might that be?" A holiday ginseng gift set probably wouldn't placate my anger… "Hao Mun’s Hidden Pact (某地約條)." "What?" "That pot-bellied manager appears slow on the uptake, focusing only on his own concerns. Sometimes you need someone looking from afar." Mamon Hyang Ju spoke as if he knew something I didn’t. "Weren't you here to gather information?" "I needed a messenger. I was also curious what the young man who shared food after so many years was like." Was this a kind of initiation into the unorthodox sect? You should've mentioned it earlier. "Hao Mun's Hidden Pact (某地約條). I'll make sure it’s delivered." "We've arrived. Go ahead." ———————- "Hao Mun's Hidden Pact (某地約條)?" Returning after meeting with both Mamon Hyang Ju and Si Mun Hyang Ju, I asked Im Ha Yeon. "Do you know what it means?" "No, it's the first I've heard, but I know what '某地' means." "I gather it doesn't mean just 'any place.' Does it have a special significance?" Resisting the urge to crack a joke not even my boss would make, I inquired further. "Hao Mun members live like floating weeds, gathering wherever life takes them. Thus, '某地,' meaning ‘any place they call home,' typically refers to the central hub of Hao Mun." "A pledge made at Hao Mun's base... intriguing." The mystery deepens. "What did Si Mun Hyang Ju say?" "He was going to reassure me that since I'm known as the one who received his food, Domun won't attack carelessly. When I relayed Mamon Hyang Ju's message, he just said he'd tell me later and sent me off." The mention of Hao Mun's Hidden Pact did not sit well with Si Mun Hyang Ju. "Could it be tied to something major?" Im Ha Yeon asked, concern etched on her face. An agreement known only to Hao Mun's higher-ups—what could it have to do with this? "Let’s look at it positively. If it's a significant event for Hao Mun, they might not pay mind to someone like Lady Ha Yeon." If it truly is linked to something significant, it could actually be favorable. If this entire plot was to handle Im Ha Yeon, the survivor from Domun’s schemes, then it means more individuals have caught on. Efforts intended to plug small leaks in a dam. With Mamon and Si Mun aware, the dam’s collapse seems inevitable. If such a grand event occurs, Im Ha Yeon would no longer be of any consequence to Domun. I reassured Im Ha Yeon, explaining my reasoning. "That's one way to think about it." "Do not worry excessively. Let's remain vigilant as we have been. I will also prepare for contingencies." Perhaps the solution to Im Ha Yeon's issues, which we've been preparing for, is near. Until the examination is set before us, preparing to the best of our ability is our only option. *********** "What should I doooo." Inside the estate where Kang Yun Ho and Im Ha Yeon agonized together, Jae Gal Hyang was also in distress, clutching her hair and knocking her head on the floor. "I'm certain Ha Yeon has feelings for Kang Gongjaaaa." Initially, Jae Gal Hyang held a glimmer of hope. Perhaps, if it wasn't true family martial arts. If Im Ha Yeon had only exaggerated mastering a common agility technique available in markets, Assuming she might have been inaccurate due to her own boasting. "A step-up martial art, not just a common family technique." Throwing nine concealed weapons precisely while moving unpredictably, a sight unmatched even among master martial artists. From what Jae Gal Hyang briefly observed, it appeared flawless compared to the famous orthodox schools’ agility techniques. "Perhaps you may not know, but there are conventions in the martial arts world you ought to respect..." "I am aware. And I do adhere to them quite well." Jae Gal Hyang finally realized why Im Ha Yeon was eager to grab hold of her. She was the woman attempting to snatch away the man Ha Yeon was aiming for with her family's influence. "Does Kang Gongja understand Ha Yeon’s feelings?" It's common knowledge among martial artists that the secrets of family martial arts are never shared with outsiders. But being from another land, it's possible that Kang Gongja might be unaware of this. If otherwise, he wouldn't have written so casually in the exchange journal. "What if Ha Yeon is aiming to become Kang Gongja’s wife?" Jae Gal Hyang closed her eyes and compared herself to Im Ha Yeon with cool detachment. Who benefits Kang Yun Ho the most? It's Ha Yeon. She even knows how to dress up prettier than I do. She's also his martial arts tutor. The one who is most trusted, Ha Yeon again. Unlike me, she's a great cook. "She's just too perfect a candidate for the main wife!" An utter defeat. It was such a perfect loss that comparing herself to Ha Yeon as a potential wife seemed utterly offensive. "How should I handle this? What does Kang Gongja think of Ha Yeon? How am I supposed to beat Ha Yeon..." Rolling on the floor in the throes of despair and laughter, Jae Gal Hyang accidentally knocked Dangga Poong Un from the desk onto her head. With a face full of distress, she opened the book she had read hundreds of times and mumbled to herself. "For peace of mind, I need to read Dangga Poong Un... huh?" Jae Gal Hyang noticed something strange as she flipped through the pages. "This feels... familiar?" The way the story unfolds, the choice of words, and the sentence structure gave her a sense of déjà vu, reminiscent of something she read recently. Startled, she bolted upright and grabbed another book. The book she picked was the exchange journal written by Kang Yun Ho. The similarity was undeniable. "Could it be?" The realization struck her like a hammer blow. Could it be? A wild guess formed in Jae Gal Hyang's mind, recalling a memory from months ago—a thank-you letter in response to the dozens of drawing and appreciation letters she sent. That letter had certainly been from Ho Pil Writer. The journal before her. The thank-you letter she remembered. After endlessly comparing the two, Jae Gal Hyang arrived at one burning question. "Why does Kang Gongja's handwriting match Ho Pil Writer's?"