329 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Chapter 5 "Is that child really Mu Young Shin Tu's daughter?" "I've never heard that Mu Young Shin Tu had a daughter before." The expressions of surprise were unmistakable on the faces of the two Hyang Joos. Given that these two managed all the information in Hu Bei province, it wasn't surprising that they found it hard to believe. Understanding how this situation came to be was simple. Mu Young Shin Tu must have been desperate. The children of criminals often suffer greatly just by associating with their parent's identity. If Mu Young Shin Tu had a child, he would certainly have hidden her. "I can vouch for her." I approached the Hyang Joos with confidence. "You?" "Just in case, I brought this." I took out irrefutable evidence proving that Im Ha Yeon was Mu Young Shin Tu's child. "Is this Mu Young Shin Tu's Black Coin?" "I had a chance encounter to pledge brotherhood with him." If it was the Black Coin of Mu Young Shin Tu who vanished ten years ago, they couldn't help but believe me. "So Mu Young Shin Tu is still alive… That explains why you were so determined to protect that child from the start. Child, who else knows about this?" Gi Mun Hyang Joo scrutinized Im Ha Yeon up and down, trying to confirm if she truly was Mu Young Shin Tu's child. "Only Gwak Ji Bu Jang uncle and a few people from the Gyobang knew." Im Ha Yeon struggled to control her expression, visibly flustered by the mention of her father, Mu Young Shin Tu. "Gwak? That guy, he’s friends with Mu Young Shin Tu, yet he didn't share this info?" Isn't it natural to prioritize friends over superiors? Si Mun Hyang Joo was left speechless in disbelief. "So the Wusan Gyobang was where the trusted aides of that old woman from ten years ago were." "…The previous Gi Mun Hyang Joo and the previous Do Mun Hyang Joo would have known." Si Mun Hyang Joo nodded, barely managing to keep his mouth shut under Gi Mun Hyang Joo's gaze. "Were they trying to protect the daughter? Now I see why Mu Young Shin Tu suddenly vanished." Gi Mun Hyang Joo's words prompted a nod from Si Mun Hyang Joo. "The now-descendant of the deceased Do Mun Hyang Joo is the current Do Mun Hyang Joo. The Do Mun Hyang Joo must have known Im Ha Yeon's identity." "……." Their ability to quickly grasp the situation was impressive. As expected of the Hyang Joos from Hao Mun. They quickly pieced everything together with just this one fact. Im Ha Yeon couldn’t find words amidst the cascade of shocking revelations. "The incident with Ha Yeon was likely not about eliminating witnesses, but rather about securing her." If the Do Mun Hyang Joo knew Im Ha Yeon's identity and coincidentally discovered where Mu Young Shin Tu lived, the plan was straightforward. He would wait until he had enough support to claim majority leadership, then move against the Wusan Gyobang. Im Ha Yeon was the single piece that would establish Do Mun Hyang Joo as a power within Hao Mun. "They almost secured the majority, so they planned to raid Wusan Gyobang, replace the head with someone from Do Mun, and simultaneously secure that child." "This requires a reconsideration. I need to discuss this with Si Mun Hyang Joo, so please wait outside." Following Si Mun Hyang Joo's words, I nodded and turned to leave. ————— "Si Mun Hyang Joo, may I ask you something?" What’s this? As I was leaving, I noticed Im Ha Yeon approaching Si Mun Hyang Joo to ask something. "Yes, how do you know that?" "……." Why does Im Ha Yeon look so shocked? "Miss Ha Yeon, what’s the matter?" I asked Im Ha Yeon as she dragged her feet out the door. "The symptoms that appeared when my mother passed and when Si Mun Hyang Joo's wife died from poisoning were identical." "……." It seems the harm inflicted during the rebellion ten years ago affected more than just the Hyang Joos inside. Im Ha Yeon sank into a chair, looking as if she might burst into tears at any moment. "Shortly after we lost contact with him, my mother fell ill and passed. He didn't even show up when she finally succumbed." What must it feel like to realize belatedly that the misfortunes, one after another, were acts of wrongdoing by others? It's beyond my ability to comprehend. "Perhaps he couldn't reveal himself." Releasing such a long-held misunderstanding gently was the only way to ease her somber mood. "He... He tried to protect me?" "It's possible he thought you would be untouched if he disappeared." "But my mother died." The resentment of a girl who lost her mother at the age of nine was palpable. "Yet, you're alive." Sitting beside her, I gently wiped the tears trickling down her cheek with my sleeve. "……. I don't understand. What’s happening?" She had spent her life resenting her father, Mu Young Shin Tu. If he disappeared to protect his family, And refrained from showing himself for her safety, And stayed hidden in Hu Bei province out of concern for her, "Let’s wait until the two are done with their conversation." Nothing can console ten years of sorrow in an instant. I won’t go anywhere. I’m here with you. All I could do was hold her trembling hand, filled with emotion. ————- "Only Gang Yun Ho may enter." Is the discussion finally over? I gently patted the now slightly calmer shoulder of Im Ha Yeon and quietly entered the room at Gi Mun Hyang Joo's summons. Did Si Mun Hyang Joo leave the room? "There are three methods." Straight to the point. With limited time, that’s good. With a determined expression, I faced Gi Mun Hyang Joo. "Do I have a say in the choice?" "Yes. We’ve decided to help you, so we will heed your opinion." "Please continue." "The first method is war. Gi Mun and Si Mun will confront Do Mun. Even without a clear justification, we plan to exploit a pretext to attack." "A civil war, then." "Indeed, it's not an easy decision. Considering Do Mun has swayed half of our faction, even if Si Mun and Gi Mun united, much blood would be spilled." Internal warfare within Hao Mun. I glanced silently at Gi Mun Hyang Joo. Even if it meant giving Im Ha Yeon up, this was something they had been trying to prevent. Gi Mun Hyang Joo, I see you're trying to hide your irritation, but your constant tapping of that empty pipe on the ashtray makes it rather apparent. "What is the second option?" Let’s move on quickly. "The second option is to send her far away. It's the most peaceful solution." "Send Miss Ha Yeon away?" "She could live a normal life beyond Do Mun's reach. However, as your relationship with her is already exposed, you must not see or contact her until everything is resolved." "You mean Miss Ha Yeon and I would never see each other again as long as Do Mun exists." "Separation might be the happier choice." Gi Mun Hyang Joo spoke nonchalantly, as he stuffed tobacco into his pipe. Sure, it’s a simple solution. However… "If I were content with separation, I wouldn't be standing here." Would I have come this far if I were satisfied with that? I spoke decisively to Gi Mun Hyang Joo, who slowly exhaled smoke before speaking again. "If you don't like that, there's a third method. A way you don't have to separate from the child, and no bloodshed will occur." You should have started with that. "Then let's go with—” "But first, there's something I must ask you." "Go ahead." What could he possibly want to know? Memories with my mother? How I approached and reconciled with Dang Hwa Rin? Or how far things have progressed with Im Ha Yeon? Whatever it is, I’ll improvise a response. "What's your relationship with Dang Hwa Rin?" Ah. ——————- "She's my fiancée." The words escaped my lips without a moment's hesitation. "A man with a fiancée, yet you've taken in that child?" A trace of annoyance laced Gi Mun Hyang Joo's voice. Hopefully, he wasn't intending to bash my head with that pipe. Thankfully, he seemed inclined to hear my answer. How should I explain? Should I mention that despite having a childhood friend to marry and promise a future with, I also have a recent matchmaking prospect? No, that would surely lead to a head injury. These answers don’t need awkward justifications or embarrassment. I have a special strategy precisely for convincing Gi Mun Hyang Joo. "I am not the Dang family's master." I took a bold step toward Gi Mun Hyang Joo. "Not the family head?" Facing the squinting Hyang Joo, I continued earnestly. "I'm not the kind of despicable person who would irresponsibly abandon a woman after making promises." "What do you intend to do?" "I will take responsibility for everything." Even though it felt like acting before Gi Mun Hyang Joo, those words were genuine. I will be accountable to the heroines who have given me their hearts. I will rescue them from their cursed fates. That vow etched in my heart will not fade. While renewing my resolve, I placed a hand on my chest, as if solidifying my pledge. "Your father said something similar, you know." Gi Mun Hyang Joo remarked, almost mockingly. "I am not of the Dang family; I am of the Kang family. Please do not equate me with someone who surrendered love under the weight of a family name." Now it was my turn to get riled up. I spoke, channeling the same anger you feel when a character you've spent a month perfecting turns useless after a single game patch. "So you're different from your father?" "If you've looked into me, I believe you'd know how I've lived." "I've heard you're the most successful person among the inhabitants of Mu Han." "I achieved all that not by relying on my family's resources, but through my own efforts." With arms opened wide like one holding treasures, I continued. "Go on." I first raised both hands high, speaking as if bearing a brilliant weight. "The family master was crushed by the weight of his name, ultimately releasing what he held. But I am laying a solid foundation beneath my feet for the women I love." Lowering my arms, I directed both palms at the ground, contrasting with the stooping man burdened with weight and the one standing proudly. Demonstrating my difference from the Dang family master with every fiber of my being. "……." Speechless, huh? Good. Now it's time for sorrow. Clenching my fists and drawing them to my chest, I portrayed a longing for a beloved mother I could never meet again. "Gi Mun Hyang Joo, I have no intention of subjecting another woman to the same suffering my mother endured. I'm here to take responsibility as a man and keep both Hwa Rin and Miss Ha Yeon by my side." "The child outside the door would be quite pleased to hear that." An unexpected counter? "Hahaha, I might get an earful, maybe even pulled by my hair, but there is no chance I will give up on a promised woman because of what others might say." Ending my laughter, I adopted a serious expression. The message was clear — these women are non-negotiable treasures. Are you satisfied now? Gi Mun Hyang Joo didn’t immediately respond. He gazed at me, his eyes carrying a hint of nostalgia, as if recalling something long gone. "……Come closer." "Yes." Slowly, I approached Gi Mun Hyang Joo. "Despite resembling your father in looks, you seem to have inherited your mother's eyes." You’re mistaken. Although I haven’t seen them, there’s no harm in agreeing. "If it comforts you to see your mother in my eyes, you may look as long as you wish." I bent one knee, meeting Gi Mun Hyang Joo’s eyes. He responded with an amused snort. Was the pensive gaze too much? "…Stay away from any courtesan establishments." "Pardon?" "At this rate, your boldness will have all the courtesans in tears." "Haha." A satisfied smile played on Gi Mun Hyang Joo's lips. "Alright then, even if you're bold, it's better than being a damned fool. I'll share the third method with you." —————— "With this method, you will be able to save that child." To think such a method existed. Yes, with this approach, I can save Im Ha Yeon. "Miss Ha Yeon." Upon hearing the plan, I quickly made my way to Im Ha Yeon, who was waiting by the door. "You're back?" "Miss Ha Yeon, listen carefully, and please don't misunderstand." When I gripped her shoulders, she looked at me, startled. "W-why are you doing this all of a sudden?" Silently, I stared into Im Ha Yeon's eyes. Perhaps realizing I meant to speak earnestly and not jokingly, she calmed her expression and waited for my answer. What I was about to say might be shocking. Yes, it’s surprising, but don’t be too alarmed. It’s something that could be misunderstood, but don’t misunderstand. "Miss Ha Yeon." "Yes?" "From today onward, let's become the righteous bandit, Mu Young Shin Tu."