Ch 330 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Chapter 6 - Gi Mun “What do you mean, become Mu Yeong Sin Tu?” “Ha Yeon, you will become the leader of the thieves, Tu Mun Hyang Ju.” Gi Mun Hyang Ju's third proposal was this: to make Im Ha Yeon the Tu Mun Hyang Ju, the leader of the thieves. “You want me to become Tu Mun Hyang Ju?” “The moment you become Tu Mun Hyang Ju, Do Mun can no longer claim ownership of your miracle. The Hyang Jus are the five leaders of Hao Mun in Hubei Province, and since they are equals, none can claim ownership over another.” Do Mun aimed to claim ownership over Im Ha Yeon’s miracle. However, that claim would be nullified if she became a Hyang Ju. I explained to her that she would also gain the solid backing of Tu Mun. “I understand the reason, but is it really that easy to become the Tu Mun Hyang Ju?” A valid point. To suddenly assume one of the only five positions in Hao Mun of Hubei Province. Positions that people spend decades trying to achieve, with recognized accomplishments and through power struggles. It was certainly not something to challenge lightly. Except for the Tu Mun Hyang Ju, perhaps. “Well…” “It’s possible for Tu Mun.” “Si Mun Hyang Ju? We’ve been looking for you since you weren’t around.” Just as I began to explain to Im Ha Yeon, Si Mun Hyang Ju approached with a relieved expression. “The facilities here are great, but the restroom is too far. Anyway, anyone well-known who wishes to become a Hyang Ju can do so. Hence, if Mu Yeong Sin Tu wishes to become Tu Mun Hyang Ju, it’s possible.” “Aren’t there other famous thieves? I don’t think I can surpass them just by stealing.” “Heh heh. Name one famous thief in Hubei Province right now.” Si Mun Hyang Ju chuckled, posing the question to Im Ha Yeon’s bewildered face. “Uh… uh… what?!” Im Ha Yeon, you can’t think of one either, right? I had the same reaction just now. “What thief would want to become famous? From the moment they’re well-known, the authorities will be after them, and martial artists will also try to make themselves famous over it. That would narrow their freedom, making thievery difficult. A thief is never meant to be famous in the first place.” Si Mun Hyang Ju shrugged his shoulders, acknowledging Im Ha Yeon’s realization. “Tu Mun Hyang Ju represents the thieves. Gi Mun Hyang Ju also mentioned that there's no one to serve as the face of Tu Mun.” Despite Mu Yeong Sin Tu being in seclusion for a decade, it was one of the reasons he remained the Tu Mun Hyang Ju. No one wanted to become the face of the thieves. “Yes, a thief only becomes known when they’re caught. Mu Yeong Sin Tu was peculiar in that regard.” “If I make myself known as Mu Yeong Sin Tu and continue to steal…” Was she surprised? Im Ha Yeon’s mouth slowly opened. “If you’re the heir of the previous Tu Mun Hyang Ju, you’d be sufficiently qualified to be proposed as the Tu Mun Hyang Ju.” Even if Im Ha Yeon challenges the semi-vacant position of the Tu Mun Hyang Ju, Tu Mun has no grounds to oppose. How about it, Im Ha Yeon? Isn’t it a sound plan? “…….” Im Ha Yeon lowered her gaze, seemingly lost in thought at Si Mun Hyang Ju’s words. “It seems you’ll need some time to think. I’ll be in Gi Mun Hyang Ju’s room for the time being. Come in when your thoughts are settled.” Si Mun Hyang Ju’s experience as an innkeeper is not something to underestimate. He’s skilled at reading the atmosphere and retreating accordingly. “Ha Yeon.” “…….” Even as I gently called her, Im Ha Yeon didn’t reply. ‘It’s understandable for her to hesitate.’ The proposal about becoming Tu Mun Hyang Ju is merely a solution. Regardless of knowing the solution, the act of solving the problem rests upon her heart’s decision. ‘Since she was reticent about stealing other people's belongings.’ That night in Eui Chang, in the deserted room of Daseoak, Im Ha Yeon cried before me, saying she did not want to steal. She didn’t wish to bring tears to others to free herself from her courtesan status. In retrospect, even if she had stolen back then, it would have been futile. The Do Mun had no intention of releasing her regardless of how much she stole. But now, things are different. ‘Im Ha Yeon doesn’t inherently dislike the act of stealing.’ During the Hong Sam theft incident and the Nok Cheong Pyo Kuk affair, Im Ha Yeon crossed over the fences of strangers’ homes as long as it helped her. She even suggested jumping over fences during moonlit nights for fun, suggesting perhaps she was a natural at thievery. ‘What she needs is a reasonable justification.’ A reason powerful enough to surpass her ingrained morals and mental barriers. With that, she can become a thief, the greatest thief in Middle Kingdom. Mu Yeong Sin Tu. So how will I guide her to become Mu Yeong Sin Tu? How will I dissolve her psychological resistance? ‘I’ve already figured it out.’ Just as she once guided me under the moonlit sky, now it was my turn to reach out my hand to her. ————— “I’ve been told you might be sent far away, Ha Yeon.” The beginning involves presenting an alternative path. “What?” Finally looking up, Im Ha Yeon gave me a puzzled glance as if questioning what I just said. “A place beyond Do Mun’s reach. A place where you can live quietly. Using that method, you wouldn’t need to steal, nor worry about Do Mun’s pursuit.” “I see…” “But they said I’d have to part with you forever.” “……!” Im Ha Yeon’s eyes widened considerably. “I didn’t want that. So I asked for another way. But since I haven’t asked for your opinion, if you want, you’re free to leave.” Placing a hand over my heart, I gazed at her earnestly. I don’t want to let you go. I want to take responsibility for you. What do you think? With my eyes, I conveyed my true feelings to her. “That’s impossible, I won’t leave!” Im Ha Yeon responded as if she couldn’t believe I would say such a thing. Good. Now that we’ve eliminated the other path, I need to give her a reason to walk along the remaining one. “I want to take responsibility for you. Just as your caretaker did.” Next is addressing Im Ha Yeon’s trauma. Let’s touch on why she hasn’t been using the martial arts taught by Mu Yeong Sin Tu. I gently held Im Ha Yeon’s hand. “Did that man really retreat for my sake…?” Im Ha Yeon murmured in a gloomy voice, avoiding my gaze, as if she couldn’t believe it. This was an opportunity to clear her of any resentment towards her father. To frame everything as a misunderstanding and dilute her aversion to thievery. “I’m certain. Otherwise, why would he have disappeared for ten years? Now it’s our turn to sever this unwanted connection.” I gripped her shoulders and spoke with unwavering conviction to reassure her. “How?” “Let's become heroic thieves. Let’s become the infamous Mu Yeong Sin Tu.” If I could dilute her aversion to stealing, what remained was to shatter her psychological barriers against it. And I had a method for that, too. “A heroic thief?” “I know you don’t want to cause others tears through theft. But, you know, there are even worse thieves than those who roam under broad daylight.” “Worse than ordinary thieves?” Landlords, wealthy merchants, corrupt officials—the world is teeming with thieves worse than the petty ones. “Let's bring tears to these greater thieves, and with those tears, feed the poor until they smile.” She had a disdain for unscrupulous merchants and had secretly helped impoverished Joseon people. By punishing the wicked and becoming a thief for the poor, I would break down her last psychological barrier. “Is this the heroic thief you speak of?” “Yes. A thief, yet not a thief. One who upholds justice through the most unjust means—a thief embodying righteousness. That’s what it means to become Mu Yeong Sin Tu.” A practitioner of justice through thievery. That is what she would become—a thief who embodies the essence of justice. ******** Im Ha Yeon felt the warm grasp of Kang Yoon Ho’s hand, one she never wanted to release, and she thought of her parents. ‘I never wanted to become like him.’ A man who vanished in a single moment. Her mother would glance out the window, waiting for news of him until her final days. If he hadn’t disappeared, her mother’s illness might have been cured. With his connections, any renowned doctor would have come. If it weren’t for the man who abandoned his family like cast-off shoes, she wouldn’t have gone hungry or knocked on the courtesan house’s door. She never wanted to live a life like the man who discarded his precious family. But now. ‘He went into hiding for my sake?’ Im Ha Yeon couldn’t comprehend the torrent of truth that swept over her. The father she resented for a decade really retreated to not lose himself, just as he hadn’t wanted to lose her mother or her, his daughter. What then was all her resentment worth? Each time she climbed over walls for Kang Yoon Ho’s requests, feeling a mix of apprehension and exhilaration, she chalked it up to blood ties, harboring a bit of self-loathing. Im Ha Yeon looked at Kang Yoon Ho’s face. ‘A heroic thief.’ The solution he proposed to keep her close. Surely, it would lead to more smiles rather than tears. She sensed his feelings for her in even his plans. She didn’t want to part ways with him. She wanted to stay by his side. Waking him, a late sleeper, sharing work and laughter, and holding his hand on the way home at night. For that, she would need to steal. ‘Mu Yeong Sin Tu, the heroic thief.’ Im Ha Yeon gazed at her beloved. Crossing walls not for tears, but for happiness. Just as her parents abandoned everything for love. If becoming a heroic thief was for love— “Alright. I’ll become Mu Yeong Sin Tu.” She would willingly become Mu Yeong Sin Tu. ***** “Have you decided?” When I entered the room hand-in-hand with Im Ha Yeon, Gi Mun Hyang Ju put down his pipe and asked. “Yes. I will challenge the position of Tu Mun Hyang Ju.” Im Ha Yeon’s face was filled with determination more than ever. “Once you start, I’ll make contact with people from Tu Mun.” “A few wall crossings, and the word will spread fast. I’ll spread rumors through the network of inns.” The two Hyang Jus nodded toward us. Once Im Ha Yeon began her activities as Mu Yeong Sin Tu, Gi Mun and Si Mun would utilize their resources to publicize her fame. With their efforts, the tale of Mu Yeong Sin Tu would spread swiftly. This was the plan of the two Hyang Jus. “That won't be enough.” Good as it is, the plan has notable flaws. I decided to voice my concerns about the two Hyang Jus’ plan with a resolute tone. “Not enough?” “To become Tu Mun Hyang Ju, Ha Yeon must represent not just her deeds but also gain recognition among the thieves of Wu Han. She needs to steal from such infamous sects, escorts, merchants, and wealthy families that her reputation resounds. That will take a significant amount of time.” One cannot rapidly accumulate fame necessary to ascend to a Hyang Ju. It would require consistent or extraordinary achievements, demanding considerable time and risk. “If Gi Mun and Si Mun spread the word with intent, it’s not impossible.” “The real issue lies with the people of Tu Mun. Would they endorse her as Hyang Ju merely because she gained some notoriety by robbing a few wealthy households?” She could forcibly gain fame by rumor, yet becoming Hyang Ju necessitates the acceptance of Tu Mun’s members. Should they reject the proposition due to what they consider trivial achievements, the entire plan would falter. “Do you have another idea?” Yes, of course. I already had a plan for the legendary Mu Yeong Sin Tu. A special characteristic that would set Im Ha Yeon apart from other thieves. I nodded toward Gi Mun Hyang Ju, who regarded me with an intrigued gaze. “Ha Yeon will become a righteous thief, the Mu Yeong Sin Tu.” “A righteous thief?” “The simple tale of a thief robbing the wealthy swiftly loses public interest. But a righteous thief—now, that’s different. A thief yet just, it would immediately capture people’s attention.” “Tell us more in detail.” "Attack the homes of the wicked. People will cheer just upon hearing that an evildoer's house has been robbed. But what if the loot from there is distributed among the poor?" My suggestion for Ha Yeon to become a heroic thief wasn’t solely to erase her psychological barrier. A righteous thief. As a thief, there’s no quicker way to gain fame in a short period than by becoming a righteous thief. “People will revel in the downfall of the wicked and extol the virtues of Mu Yeong Sin Tu.” “Rumors will breed further rumors.” “With continued exploits, the wealthy will dread the night, while the poor will yearn for its arrival.” “Everyone in Wu Han will be keenly observing Mu Yeong Sin Tu’s every move.” “Yes. In no time, not only Wu Han but all of Hubei Province will know of Mu Yeong Sin Tu.” Even a single theft from a rich house will ensure she is known throughout Wu Han. Speculation on which household will be next will be the talk of the town. The righteous thief, Mu Yeong Sin Tu. It was my strategy to swiftly install Im Ha Yeon as the Tu Mun Hyang Ju. ——————— “Excellent. Proceed as you both wish.” Gaining their approval wasn’t difficult. “Looks like we can finally return home.” While we must immediately discuss her activities as Mu Yeong Sin Tu, it's possible to reclaim some sense of normalcy. A routine with Im Ha Yeon, Jeogal Sojeo, and I... “Ah?!” “What’s wrong?” Im Ha Yeon asked, seeing my startled expression. This is bad. Really bad. “Well… I haven’t been back to the estate since the day Ha Yeon left home.” ** The residence, once bustling with a secretive trio, now lay in quiet chaos. “Kang Gongja hasn’t returned homeeeee.” A silver-haired, blue-eyed woman rolled on the floor in anguish.