Ch 339 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

**A New Release - Part 4** "The second volume of 'The Chronicles of Wind and Cloud Heroes' is coming out this quickly?" "I thought it would take at least half a year." "So, was the delay in the release of 'The Saga of Tang's Family' volume 4 really due to the DaSeoGak issue?" "If solving the DaSeoGak problem speeds things up, we'll get the fourth volume of 'The Saga of Tang's Family' soon too." "I can't believe we'll learn the identity of the mysterious lady presented at the end of 'The Chronicles of Wind and Cloud Heroes' so quickly!" With the back-to-back release of 'The Chronicles of Wind and Cloud Heroes', the possibility of reading Ho Pil's novels in quick succession no longer seemed like a mere dream. The news of the release of the second volume of 'The Chronicles of Wind and Cloud Heroes' thrilled the members of DaSeoHwe, unable to contain their excitement. In reality, Kang Yun Ho had completed the first volume in advance, and the second volume was completed with the support and assistance of two women, giving the appearance of quick progress. However, there was no better news to rapidly quash Ho Pil's negative reputation. --- The second volume of 'The Chronicles of Wind and Cloud Heroes', produced at an unprecedented speed by tirelessly engaging countless workers at the printing house, filled the whole DaSeoGak on its release day. "This line isn't as long as I expected." A member of DaSeoHwe murmured as he stood in the middle of the stretched queue. "What are you talking about? The entrance of DaSeoGak looks like a dot from here." A friend, glancing between the front and the back of the line, asked with a puzzled expression. "You must not have seen the release day of volume 3 of 'The Saga of Tang's Family'. It was a miracle if you got the book on the first day." "Oh my. I thought today's line was colossal, but how long was it for 'The Saga of Tang's Family'?" "I lined up before dawn and ended up having dinner after purchasing the book." A member of the crowd, proudly identifying as one of the readers who managed to get the first release of 'The Saga of Tang's Family', spoke with pride. "Look at the crowd, sister!" "Let's hurry and line up! I can't wait to see Un Hyeon!" "Though shorter than that of 'The Saga of Tang's Family', there's certainly an increase in female readers." A martial artist made acquaintances with a DaSeoHwe member by commenting. "Oh? Are you Gong Pyo Sa? Have you completed your journey and returned?" The martial artist was none other than Gong Pyo Sa, a fervent fan of 'The Saga of Tang's Family', renowned in Yi Chang. "I returned two days ago. It's pleasant to see familiar faces while waiting for the second volume of 'The Chronicles of Wind and Cloud Heroes'. Everyone has been well, I assume." Though not a member of DaSeoHwe, Gong Pyo Sa frequently visited DaSeoGak and thus was familiar with DaSeoHwe. "You must still be weary from the journey. You could have let the younger guards handle it." "I forgot a gift for my daughter on our trip. Her lip was pouted though she could marry the day after tomorrow. Since I noticed the latest work of Ho Pil on my daughter's desk, I came out." Even a man as renowned as Gong Pyo Sa, was utterly weak to his daughter. "Haha. These days, Ho Pil's novels are quite popular among women. Have you read 'The Chronicles of Wind and Cloud Heroes'?" "Have you seen my eyes?" "Pardon? Oh! You do seem tired." "I stayed up reading 'The Chronicles of Wind and Cloud Heroes' last night. Despite the travel exhaustion, I was too excited to sleep. I merely got it off my daughter's shelf." Though he claimed it was an accident, Gong Pyo Sa's face was full of smiles. "I, too, stayed up a night engrossed in 'The Chronicles of Wind and Cloud Heroes'." "I once thought that age makes one indifferent. That with time, both joy and sorrow become common. But this book made it hard to calm my heart." "It seems to have something intriguing for martial artists." Gong Pyo Sa nodded and added. "I intend to recommend it to other guards." Though lacking in vibrant details, 'The Chronicles of Wind and Cloud Heroes' was rich with other charms, engaging enough to keep one awake all night. For Gong Pyo Sa, as a martial artist, it was a piece that offered more to ponder over than 'The Saga of Tang's Family', urging many to read it. "Oh! The doors of DaSeoGak have opened!" Gong Pyo Sa slowly moved towards DaSeoGak, securing copies for both his daughter and himself. --- "Enjoy your read." Gong Pyo Sa handed over one of the two copies of 'The Chronicles of Wind and Cloud Heroes' he acquired after much waiting to his daughter. "Kyaaa! Dad, you're the best!" Perhaps it was because she was his precious daughter, or perhaps it was that her joy was boundless, even though she was near the marriageable age. Gong Pyo Sa was utterly pleased watching her happiness. "Once you're done, share your thoughts." "Okay!" Watching as his daughter skipped into her room, Gong Pyo Sa also took a copy and walked into his study. Un Hyeon, the ascetic of the Wudang sect. Having completed his training in the Ba Gua Swordsmanship, he embarked on a journey to become a hero and encountered a woman along the way. What would be the identity of So Jeo, who was being assaulted by the bandits? With a heart fluttering like in his youthful days, Gong Pyo Sa eagerly opened to the first page. ["You villains! Do you think I'd surrender my father's sword even if it costs me my life!"] A beauty with her hair tied back yelled at the villains, wielding a sword. "A martial artist? Was So Jeo a martial artist?" She wasn't just a woman being harassed by thieves. Sensing the start of a significant event, Gong Pyo Sa read on with great anticipation. ["Girl! Hand over the sword quietly, and I'll spare your life!"] ["She's a rare beauty. Brother, you're just gonna let her live, right?"] ["Hahaha. Isn't that obvious?"] ["Oh, the resistance will be worth the enjoyment."] "A solitary travel by a woman. Foolish indeed." Gong Pyo Sa murmured with a bitter expression. In the martial world, there's a saying to beware the old, the young, and the women. If someone who's sure to be targeted by robbers is roaming the world, it's reason enough to be wary. There's a reason why the job of a guard exists in the martial world. Gong Pyo Sa understood better than anyone what fate awaited such a woman in most scenarios. In a typical situation, that is. ["Who are you?!"] ["A traveler who can't ignore injustice."] Five menacing villains and one woman. A situation where ordinary people, or even standard martial artists, would turn a blind eye. Un Hyeon appeared, drawing a line between the woman and the villains. "As expected, it's Un Hyeon." ["The heroic attire and stance, could it be Wudang sect?"] ["Of all things, a Wudang dog! Don't get close; take him down steadily with distance!"] Upon assessing the situation, the five villains surrounded Un Hyeon. **Skill Overcomes Strength. The Later Strike Prevails. Wudang's sword is more defensive than offensive. Against a novice wielding Wudang's sword, keeping distance is crucial. Avoiding vital strikes can turn the tide in your favor.** This was the calculated aim of the villains. ["Young hero! Run off! Though I appreciate your help, these villains are no ordinary foes!"] ["It's all right."] ["What?"] ["Because I'm not ordinary, either."] Finally, from Yun Hyeon's grasp unfolded the Ba Gua Swordsmanship he mastered after years of rigorous training. "Kyaaa! Yun Hyeon, the young hero!" His daughter's voice echoed from the next room. It seemed she too was watching the same scene with excitement. To defeat five at once when all odds seemed hopeless was beyond anyone's expectation. Gong Pyo Sa turned the page with a heart racing with anticipation. ["What?! How is this possible?!"] "Indeed, the Ba Gua Swordsmanship. Truly a sword technique for the righteous." Gong Pyo Sa recalled the solemn image of Wudang Mountain standing grandly. Wudang's posture was like an immovable mountain, steeped in defense. Yet, there was an elegance akin to a turtle in its semblance of crouching, never yielding to any foe. Contrasting this was Yun Hyeon’s sword style. Prioritizing offense over defense, advancing for righteousness with every swing. No one could be more proactive. ["Thank you for your assistance, young hero. I am Jin So Yu, an instructor at the Martial Arts Guild."] Jin So Yu acknowledged Yun Hyeon, who had dispatched the villains. ["To have vile bandits swarming at the base of Wudang mountain is nothing short of disgraceful for us of Wudang."] ["This is not Wudang's fault. It stems from the greed of martial artists."] ["What do you mean by that?"] ["The reason I am pursued is due to these swords."] ["Swords?"] ["On my way to Wudan, I was carrying ten swords left by my late father, a renowned swordsmith."] Jin So Yu began to share the source of her perilous plight. Having worked as an instructor at her grandfather's guild, Jin So Yu was on her way back after inheriting her father's estate, especially since the guild was, unfortunately, burdened with debt. But it was the swords that became the root of her troubles. ["An extraordinary sword indeed."] Not a mythical weapon, but one that could crucially determine life and death. To martial artists, these swords were a coveted treasure for someone of Jin So Yu's caliber. "A beautiful woman and possessing a blade coveted by martial artists. Like carrying a bale of hay into a fire." For reasons unknown, the rumor spread about Jin So Yu returning to Wudan with formidable swords. Gong Pyo Sa frowned, realizing this was not just an ordinary predicament. ["Young hero, if I can't bring these swords back to the guild, my entire family will be out on the streets. I know it's an imprudent request. Could you help me?"] "Tch-tch. This is a life-risking appeal. Even for a security bureau, this would require a gold, not silver, fee. It’s too much for a budding martial artist like Yun Hyeon." [……] ["I apologize. It was presumptuous of me to believe there was no one else besides you to ask for help. With my life already in your debt, I have no shame making such a plea."] Embarrassed by her own request, Jin So Yu couldn't lift her gaze. "As expected, Yun Hyeon cannot easily accept.” Even a hero has their limits to what they can consent to. Expecting a rational refusal, Gong Pyo Sa turned the page. ["If we are to shake off pursuit, we must choose a rugged path."] ["What?"] "What?!" Contrary to his expectations, an unexpected page awaited him. ["I was considering a route of escape, hence my delayed answer. Let us move quickly."] "So the choice was never to refuse help. Haha, of course! Yun Hyeon ventured into the world to become a hero!" Even though it was contrary to expectation, Gong Pyo Sa was delighted. Surely such madmen should exist in the world. A lunatic who forsakes all for righteousness. ["Thank you. Truly, thank you! If you desire, please choose one among the swords left by my father."] "Indeed, a priceless sword seldom acquired without connection. To obtain such a sword wouldn’t be a poor deal. …No, life is paramount, so perhaps it’s still a loss." Whether receiving an exceptional sword as reward was a loss or gain, the calculation came swiftly in Gong Pyo Sa's mind, as both a martial artist and guard. Yet, it seemed such calculations were needless from the beginning. ["What I must grasp extends to the hand of the weaker."] ["Pardon?"] A sword acts upon its doctrine. For a hero's act isn't about computing profits and losses. ["No recompense needed. Let’s move forth."] “…Humbling.” As a martial artist, Gong Pyo Sa felt a tinge of shame. When was it? Surely when as a snot-nosed lad, he'd said he’d wield the sword for the weak. Grown as he was, he watched a hero and calculated profits. "Could it be Ho Pil anticipated such reflections?" Nowadays, his hands, aged by time, turned the pages by computing gain. Yet in this novel, a hero extended his hand without hesitation. "Simply captivating. I can't help but turn to the next page." 'The Chronicles of Wind and Cloud Heroes' sparked a fire within the heart of the middle-aged Gong Pyo Sa.