Ch 320 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Gate Open – 4 "A garment this bold might be somewhat burdensome for a lady of noble standing to wear." Although a qipao isn’t a garment that reveals much skin, it does accentuate the body's lines, and the side slits occasionally expose the thighs. It was undeniably a daring outfit, one that would certainly bear heavily on a young lady raised in the refined Je-gal family. "Ho Pil, the writer." He still hasn’t given up. With her head bowed, Jae-gal Hyang clutched my sleeve and spoke. "Lady Jae-gal, as I mentioned, I am Ho Pil..." "Ho... Ho Pil, you said that taking a step forward even in the face of a formidable opponent is what matters." She snuck a glance towards the second-floor display stand and spoke, her voice trembling slightly. What is she looking at? I turned my head to see Im Ha-yeon checking the qipao outfits on the other employees. The qipao would indeed be a daunting opponent for Jae-gal Hyang, who usually wears loose and comfortable clothing. "Since it's your first time trying it on, I'll ask the other employees to help you." There’s no reason to stop her if she insists. To be honest, I am curious to see too. —— "It felt uncanny indeed." While I sat, eagerly awaiting Jae-gal Hyang's appearance in the qipao, Im Ha-yeon approached with a sour expression and took a seat across from me. "What's troubling you?" "We didn't order a qipao for Lady Jae-gal last time we placed an order, so why was there an outfit for Jae-gal Hyang among the garments we received this time?" "Haha... Well, since it wasn't my money, I thought why not get it tailored too. Ouch!" Im Ha-yeon gave me a stealthy pinch on my thigh with her foot, acting as if she found my explanation infuriating. She's been rather enjoying using her toes to pinch my thighs lately, hasn't she? "Now I see why you advised against wearing a qipao." Im Ha-yeon stirred her drink, ice cubes clinking, as she glared at me. To think she caught onto that too. "Eek!" As I wrestled with what excuse to offer Im Ha-yeon, a peculiar squeal echoed from the fitting room. "Did something go wrong while Lady Jae-gal was changing? Could you go and check?" Upon my suggestion, Im Ha-yeon stood up from her seat. "Why is everyone screaming and... ugh!" A startled voice came from Im Ha-yeon who'd gone into the fitting room. What complication arose now? "Is it really okay for clothes to cling this much?" Jae-gal Hyang's embarrassed and fidgety voice could also be heard. Did something go awry while putting on the qipao? "It's unbelievable!" "Wow..." Upon listening more carefully, the sounds were not screams of distress, but rather gasps of admiration. "It feels like my thighs are too exposed." "Oh my goodness!" What on earth are they all looking at? Whatever you’re witnessing, show it to me too. "How about adding an apron to wear it like Mei Tu?" "An apron?" "Try this on. This branch’s costume pairs more beautifully with an apron than those at the headquarters." "While the apron style might be good, wouldn’t other outfits suit you, too?" "How about trying on the clothes I bought instead of comfortable ones?" "It looks like it wouldn't fit around the chest." "Oh, I'm quite endowed too! Uhm, never mind, it’s probably not possible." "Shall we put some makeup on you too?" "I can do it! Look at that skin! To look like this without makeup..." "..." In the lively chaos of the fitting room, Im Ha-yeon returned to my side looking displeased. "What’s going on in there?" "...You seem to be having a good time." She looked at me with a disapproving gaze for a while, then turned her head away. Would you tell me what's so enjoyable? No intention to share, it seems. Oh well, nothing to do but wait. Feigning indifference, I sipped my drink, awaiting the opening of the ladies’ chamber. "No, I can’t. It’s too embarrassing. I really can’t wear it." Noooo. ——————— "I'm sorry. That bold step was too much for me." Declaring her defeat like a person without spirit, Jae-gal Hyang clutched onto her generously cut outfit as if it were precious to her. "Haha. It's fine. I'll go hand out drinks to the employees handing out flyers outside for a while." If she doesn’t like it, there’s nothing that can be done. I’ll leave Jae-gal Hyang at the vacant first-floor display stand and head out to deliver the drinks. "Please visit Da Seo Gak upon opening!" "Wow, I’ve never seen outfits like that!" "By just paying the admission fee on the second floor, you can read unlimited books!" "Just the admission fee grants limitless reading?" Indeed, the qipao is delivering significant promotional benefits. Outside the bookstore was a bustling mix of female employees distributing flyers and men fascinated by the intriguing attire. "Everyone, have a chilled drink." The effort everyone’s putting in is appreciated. I offered the drinks, which Im Ha-yeon prepared, to the female employees in front of the bookstore. "Thank you, Manager." "Wow, packed with ice! Look at that thoughtful gesture by the Manager!" "Since everyone’s working hard, I brought drinks filled with ice." Though it was indeed Im Ha-yeon who did that. "As expected of you, Manager!" "...A barbarian messing around with women from midday." Was he displeased with the warm response I received from the female employees? A snide voice chimed in behind me. "Are you some woman-dealer? A barbarian strutting around in fine clothes without knowing his place. Hey!" The sour smell of alcohol lingered in the air. Were they drunkards already indulging since midday? "M-Manager!" "Stay behind me." Urging the suddenly frightened employees behind me, two inebriates approached me. "Hey. Barbarian. Where'd you steal such clothes from?" One of the drunks poked my shoulder with his finger while grinning. "Sir, it seems you might be inebriated. Perhaps you should continue on your way." Being in front of the establishment, getting into a fight here wouldn’t be beneficial. I gently nudged the drunk aside, trying to keep things amicable. "Did this bastard just push me? Unbelievable. A barbarian bastard hitting someone?!" A fist flew straight at me. Really, there’s never a character uttering 'barbarian bastard' who doesn’t resort to violence. "Young Master Kang!" Jae-gal Hyang's startled voice echoed from within Da Seo Gak. No need to worry. "Aaargh! Let go?! Won't?!" I can easily catch and twist this level of a punch with a single hand. "This bastard! My friend! Argh!" I caught another punch coming my way from the other guy and twisted it similarly. Channeling my energy into my toes, I struck both their shins. Grabbing their shoulders as they lost their balance, I easily brought them to their knees on the ground. It wasn’t difficult to make the two drunks kneel before me. "If you're going to drink, do so gracefully. By the time you regret it, it'll be too late." I spoke in a low voice, wearing a smile as if amused by a foolish spectacle. If I make one wrong move here, the place shut for their eyes today could be a coffin, not a bed. I calmly instructed them. "We're sorry!" "We failed to recognize an esteemed person! Please forgive us!" They ran away hastily, clutching their aching shins and wrists in sheer fright. "Wow, as expected of Manager Kang Yun Ho!" "Kang Yun Ho? That name sounds familiar." "Black hair?! Oh, you mean the famous Korean sleuth who solved the ghost ship case!" "No wonder. His skills didn’t seem ordinary at all!" "I'll have our resting guards stand at the entrance. Everyone continue to do your best." Because of this little incident, I'm suddenly drawing unnecessary attention. I greeted the staff and returned inside Da Seo Gak. "Y-Young Master Kang, are you alright?" As I entered the store, Jae-gal Hyang approached me, her face pale with worry. "Haha, I'm quite used to this. Please don’t worry too much." Being called a barbarian is nothing new. "...You’re used to it?" Jae-gal Hyang couldn't close her mouth as she gazed at me. "It's nothing. Come on, let’s go up and enjoy a cold drink." No getting smacked from a kind woman in a small village for grabbing a piece of bread, no getting robbed of hard-earned money in a narrow alley after hauling goods at a pier. A small scuffle or two can easily be dealt with now. I showed Jae-gal Hyang a reassuring smile and headed up to the second floor. "......." She stood there wordlessly, watching me head upstairs, unable to follow right away. ————— "Young Master…) As I was sorting through documents after coming home from work, I heard a voice by the door. "I'm inside. Come in." "Well... Hello..." Jae-gal Hyang peeked her head inside the door, surveyed the room, and tiptoed over to my desk. "Uh? Why are you wrapped in a blanket?" I was bewildered to see Jae-gal Hyang wrapped tightly in a thin blanket like a cocoon, only her face visible. Was she running a fever? "I-I wanted to undress in front of Young Master." “What?” Now, let’s not make statements that would leave even a flasher in awe. Such misunderstandings could lead to big trouble. ‘Huh?’ Before I could fully process what she said, the thin blanket started slipping down off her shoulders. Could it be! No, living together, I assumed we'd encounter some unguarded appearances from each other! But I didn’t expect this degree of exposure! Must focus my eyes. I can’t afford to miss a single moment! Like a cocoon unraveling to reveal the hidden beauty within, the blanket slipped away, gradually revealing her figure. “I-I tried it on.” The blanket landed softly on the floor. There stood Jae-gal Hyang in the qipao that had earned all the admiration from the female staff earlier. “My, my.” I thought it would be a more modest look. “A-ah… it, it feels like my thighs are too…” Trying to cover the side slit of the qipao out of embarrassment, Jae-gal Hyang bent over, her face flushed red. Her frantic struggle resembled a human effort akin to parting the sea in defiance of a divine miracle, causing her upper body to sway prominently in motion. Wow. Not having worn anything form-fitting before, her silhouette went unnoticed. Miss Jae-gal really has quite the figure. Comparable to Lady Ha-yeon? No, considering Lady Ha-yeon’s taller stature, numerically she’d have the edge. “If you’re embarrassed, you could try wearing an apron as well.” “But… Lady Ha-yeon didn’t.” “When attending to work, Lady Ha-yeon usually dons an apron.” “Alright, just a moment.” She swiftly left for a moment and returned wearing the apron provided with the qipao. “Oh…” I couldn’t help but utter a small sound of admiration. Her combination of innocence, freshness, and her endearing diffidence, coupled with her face flushed in embarrassment, created an enchanting image. If Lady Ha-yeon suits the qipao that emphasizes femininity, then Jae-gal Hyang perfectly embodies the charm of the Mei Tu outfit. “You look wonderful.” “Re-really?” “Yes, it suits you exceedingly well.” “Heehee.” The compliment dissipated some of her initial bashfulness as she hid her smile behind her hand, wiggling slightly in a bashful fashion. Oh. From between the apron and skirt, a tantalizing thigh line became visible, thanks to her little display. No wonder the female employees were so impressed. Barely restraining a smile threatening to mimic the qipao’s side slit, I asked Jae-gal Hyang: “What brings you in a qipao all of a sudden?" Not that I’m complaining. Why try it on again after the first attempt didn’t go as planned? Jae-gal Hyang’s laughter vanished as she bowed her head, a serious expression taking over. “Because, in front of Young Master, even though it’s embarrassing, I can wear it.” “What?” “I’ve been pondering. You are indeed Ho Pil, so why deny it?” Could it have been a ploy to catch me off guard and exploit my weakness? As expected, I must stay cautious with the Je-gal clan! “I am not Ho Pil." “Seeing today, it made sense. You, being of Joseon, would find no advantage in having your identity as Ho Pil being known.” She grasped her skirt's hem tightly, her expression burdened with inner turmoil. “Please, continue.” Yesterday was circumstantial evidence and tangible proof. Today, it seems, we have motivation. I shifted my gaze away from Jae-gal Hyang, focusing on the window instead, listening intently to her continuing words. “How foolish I've been, or just foolish. I should have understood Young Master’s heart rather than seeking proof.” Her voice trembled with emotion. “Lady Jae-gal, I am not Ho Pil…” "I understand that revealing your true identity might be embarrassing for you. That's why, although I'm embarrassed, I chose to wear this." "......" Before imposing something shameful on someone else, she shows her own vulnerability first. Is she using the utmost courage she can muster to face me, even with her limited communication skills? This time, Jae-gal Hyang, voice trembling, didn't avert her eyes and looked directly at me. "If... If Young Master Kang wants, you don't have to say it if you dislike it. But could you honest... honestly say it? Perhaps I could... I mean, not that! I mean, I can take off the apron if you want!" With a voice that seemed like she might burst into tears at any moment, she clutched the apron tightly with both hands. "Lady Jae-gal." "......" She bowed her head again. "Sigh." Ho Pil (胡筆). The reason I hide my identity as a writer isn't to enjoy a double life. I'm not someone who's a psychiatrist during the day and a spy at night, or an S-rank hunter in reality but an online beatboxing troll. The reason I concealed my identity as Ho Pil is simple. 'Because the discrimination against barbarians is so rampant.' Those who believe they are the center of the world. The unrestricted contempt shown towards those with black hair. In such a world, I had to write novels. 'I desperately needed to succeed.' To survive in this world. To save the heroines' destinies. It was advantageous to keep the author's identity hidden. And so, I separated Ho Pil from myself. The writer who introduced a new genre of wuxia novels to Zhongyuan. Ho Pil. A merchant full of integrity willing to risk his life for a friend, despite being a barbarian. Kang Yun Ho. Separating my identities turned out to be a compelling story, allowing me to be acknowledged as a member of society here despite being a barbarian. I looked at the first woman in this world to recognize my true identity. Just because she trusts me doesn’t mean I have a reason to reveal myself. The fleeting pleasure of unveiling my secret couldn't outweigh the potential risks involved. Claiming it was a misunderstanding today, adding a bit of intimidation, she might just revert back, as she's often timid. However, 'When she's on the verge of tears, waiting for my answer, I can't help it either.' After deep contemplation, I looked at Jae-gal Hyang, who was waiting only for my response, and finally spoke. "Yes. I am Ho Pil."