Ch 341 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

New Release – Chapter 6 Mu Han. Song Rim Mu Gwon. Not everyone needs to become a Taoist or monk to learn martial arts. There are methods available to learn basic martial arts by paying a monthly fee, a sort of tuition, to Mu Gwon. While Mu Gwon only teaches relatively straightforward martial arts, some parents from well-off families chose to send their children there, paying the monthly fee, so their kids wouldn't be idle. "Has everyone read the second volume of 'The Tale of Heroes'?" Of course, that didn't mean the children didn't find ways to dawdle. "It was so captivating that I couldn't put it down." "Same here. I was worried when they said it lost its color like removing the knight and rook from a chess game, but it turned out to be just thrilling." Among the youths at Mu Gwon, the hottest topic these days was 'The Tale of Heroes.' The novel, where the protagonist wields a sword as his guide, embraces a damsel in distress, and shatters wrongdoers, kindled a fire in the youths' hearts that was not easily extinguished. "I thought a protagonist who never wavered in his beliefs would be stifling. But his boldness was admirable." "It's because he carries the will of the previous master. A martial artist who aspires to be a hero has a worthy reason, leaving no room for hesitation." "When Un Hyun reached out to Jin So Yu without a moment of hesitation, it tugged at my heart." One young man reached out to an imaginary Jin So Yu in front of him as if he were Un Hyun himself. "I was cheering when he found enlightenment and broke through during a life-and-death duel, and my mother scolded me for being so loud. How about you?" One of the students asked another who appeared to be in deep thought. "I was moved when the old ferryman lent a hand." The deeply thoughtful young man mentioned a scene his friends didn't anticipate. "You mean when none of the warriors dared to help while crossing the river, and then the old man appeared?" "Yes. While the martial artists were blinded by their illustrious swords or were indifferent to the situation, the simple ferryman risked his life to help, and it made me ponder." "He was a true man of integrity among the ruffians." "Seeing that scene, I felt Ho Pil the author was showing us we can uphold righteousness through small acts. It really made me think." "Indeed! I didn't realize that scene carried such meaning!" What defines a hero? A gripping book invites repeated readings, and repeated readings uncover the meanings within. The youths at Mu Gwon were so engrossed in discussing 'The Tale of Heroes' that they neglected their martial arts training. "What are you all doing!" Of course, not everyone was pleased with this behavior. "Master Guan Ju!" The students became tense at the appearance of Song Rim Mu Gwon’s master. "Very well, just splendid! I asked you to train in martial arts, and here you are giggling over a trivial book!" The problem was that students who were here solely because of the monthly fee lacked motivation. Guan Ju frowned deeply at the students. "It's not a trivial book! It's Ho Pil the author's new work, containing tales of true heroes." "Ho Pil? Isn't he a well-known author of risque stories these days? And you're here reading such stories?" Guan Ju’s expression grew even more severe. "‘The Tale of Heroes’ isn't a risque tale. It’s a guide for genuine martial artists on the path they should tread…." "Enough! It must be just another shallow story by an amateur who doesn’t know the way of the martial world." "If you read it, I assure you it'll change your mind!" "That's right!" "You must read it at least once!" The students surrounded Guan Ju, staunchly defending 'The Tale of Heroes' as it was insulted. "I have no intention of reading it. It's confiscated. Prepare yourselves for I'm sending letters to your parents." "Yes…." Guan Ju, after reprimanding the lax instructors, made sure the students picked up their wooden swords for training before returning to his office. “What’s so fascinating about this drivel?” Guan Ju muttered, placing the confiscated book on his desk. He didn't show it, but he was slightly surprised. Who would’ve thought students accustomed to following orders without question would act collectively like this? He needed to notify their parents. And to do that, he had to know what the book contained. Though he didn’t believe the students’ words, Guan Ju opened the pages of 'The Tale of Heroes.' ** "Sales of 'The Tale of Heroes' are increasing." Thanks to the help of Im Ha Yeon and Je Gal Hyang, I managed to find some time to write, but I wasn’t able to dedicate myself entirely to it. Je Gal Hyang avoided meeting people, and Im Ha Yeon could only act at late hours. Ultimately, it was up to me to oversee the business. "It seems to be spreading by word of mouth. Even female customers and martial artists carrying swords are buying it." A manager from Da Seo Gak reported on the current situation. "That's a relief." Even if Da Seo Gak was heavily promoting it and leveraging Ho Pil's reputation, I couldn't help but worry. Un Hyun, aspiring to be a hero, might seem more frustrating to some than Tang's Feng Yun from 'Chronicles of the Tang Family,' who also seeks to be a hero. I think the constant crisis and having him overcome them either boldly or intelligently was effective. "Manager, I have something to discuss with you." The manager spoke to me in a cautious manner. "Is there a problem?” “It seems necessary to request Ye Chang Printing Office to print more copies of ‘Chronicles of the Tang Family.’” “Not ‘The Tale of Heroes’ but ‘Chronicles of the Tang Family’?” “Yes, ‘The Tale of Heroes’ is popular, but, unexpectedly, the buzz around ‘Chronicles of the Tang Family’ is spreading even more. ‘The Tale of Heroes’ is selling well, but it can't compare to ‘Chronicles of the Tang Family.’” As expected. Though I disliked showing it, I couldn’t hide a bitter smile. As a writer, it was disheartening to see a new work being overshadowed by an older one. It wasn’t entirely unforeseen, though. ⁃ How about incorporating more emotional exchanges with a lady, like in ‘Chronicles of the Tang Family’? ⁃ I, I agreeee. Though Im Ha Yeon and Je Gal Hyang gave their input, I shook my head. ‘The Tale of Heroes is the story of the martial world I longed for during tough times.’ It was a novel penned in the slums. Even if this world questioned why it was called martial arts, I depicted the martial world I imagined. Though my life had improved compared to two years ago, I didn’t want to change the significance of writing 'The Tale of Heroes.' The novel served as a narrative supplement to the saga of Mu Young's Shadowfist. Despite this, I decided to stubbornly maintain my pride even while promoting it to the best of my ability. "I will send a separate letter to Yi Chang." "Head Manager Kang!" "What’s the matter?" "You must come down to the first floor!" Why was he calling me down with such a startled expression? I followed the staff to the first floor. "Are you the Manager here?" A middle-aged martial artist? Judging by his neat attire, he didn't seem to have come to cause trouble, and the guards hired from Mankeum didn't appear to be on alert either. What could it be? "You're from the martial world, I see. I’m Manager Kang. What brings you to Da Seo Gak today?" "I'm Im Mo, the master of Song Rim Mu Gwon. I wanted to purchase multiple copies of 'The Tale of Heroes', but was told it couldn't be done, so I sought out the manager." "'The Tale of Heroes' is limited to two copies per person." "That's problematic. It is not feasible for me to queue up every day. Would it be possible to purchase dozens of copies at once?" "May I ask why you wish to purchase so many?" He couldn't be intending to resell 'The Tale of Heroes' through Mu Gwon, could he? On occasion, merchants request bulk purchases, claiming they'll sell them elsewhere, but Da Seo Gak is struggling to keep up with the demand as it is. "I wish to purchase the books for educational purposes for the children at Mu Gwon." "Excuse me?" "It's a truly remarkable novel. It seems it is more beneficial for the youngsters to read this book than to hear me speak a thousand times about the mindset of a martial artist." "You wish to use this book for educational purposes?" I gazed at the master in surprise. There are no chivalrous heroes who help without considering profit or loss for the weak. There aren't warriors who, without discrimination of appearance, draw their swords to aid those in distress. This world isn’t the martial arts world I knew. That’s why I wrote 'The Tale of Heroes.' Hoping that someone, upon reading this novel, would be moved, even a little. And now, someone stood here, asking if they could buy it as an instructional book. I had no reason to refuse. ** The successive success of 'Chronicles of the Tang Family' and 'The Tale of Heroes' had not only caused a bustle at the Yi Chang Da Seo Gak but also at Mu Han’s Da Seo Gak, though not everyone viewed the situation favorably. "Our Mu Han Readers' Association, which we founded, is teetering on the edge of collapse." On the second floor of Mu Han’s Da Seo Gak, one member of the Mu Han Readers' Association spoke in a hushed, conspiratorial tone. "It seems packed to the brim on the second floor of Da Seo Gak, far from being in a crisis." Another member remarked, observing the crowded condition of the second floor with no empty seats. "That’s precisely the issue. How did we create Mu Han Readers' Association in the first place? It was a place where, forced to travel long distances to Yi Chang due to Mankeum's closed doors, we gathered like-minded individuals, year after year." Before Mu Han Da Seo Gak existed, the members banded together through all kinds of hardships as enthusiasts of 'Chronicles of the Tang Family.' The current discourse was packed with the early members of Mu Han Readers' Association. "Let's not forget those countless visits to Yi Chang, praying for Manager Kang's safe return and the smooth release of the third volume of 'Chronicles of the Tang Family.'" Their passion was undeniable, especially as members who had been around during the ban on 'Chronicles of the Tang Family' releases in Mu Han. "Indeed. But look at that spectacle." One of the members glanced disapprovingly at a group of ladies seated together. "Sister, are you writing a reflection?" "Of course. I’m aiming for the scroll of the first volume of 'The Tale of Heroes.'" "You might actually succeed since you have a writing mentor. What are you after?" "I want the scroll featuring the young Un Hyun from the first volume." "Oh my! You have such a taste for that, sister?!" "It’s not… It just stirs this protective impulse." "Hoho. It's basically the same thing." "Such a delightful sight." A member remarked while stroking his beard as he watched the lively chatter of the ladies. "What? Delightful? This is lamentable nonsense, distracted by mere illustrations instead of analyzing the text." "Even so, aren't you yourself on your fifteenth day revising your reflection essay in hopes of earning recognition from Ho Pil the author?" "Th- that's because I want to earn the acknowledgment of Ho Pil the author! Those young ladies are simply more interested in the offerings than the bounty." "I don't think so…" "Are you really going to let the Readers' Association, having endured these difficult times together, fall apart like this?" "Shouldn't we be welcoming the newcomers? I heard the Yi Chang Readers' Association embraces everyone without discrimination." "If you just accept anyone indiscriminately, you’ll end up with a muddy mess." "The only muddy water here seems to be a group filled with men." Several other members nodded at that comment. "I dearly miss the days of constructive discourse, like when Ho Buk's premier courtesan Du Eung Hyang was designated the heroine of 'Chronicles of the Tang Family,’ declaring everything else heretical." "Wait, that’s the first I’ve heard of it? Who decided to make her the main lady?" Oops. If not careful, the hastily declared heroine might get changed. Feeling an urgent need, the member quickly attempted a topic shift. "Ah, anyway, ‘The Tale of Heroes' has its issues too. It's entertaining, sure, but it seems like Ho Pil the author took quite a leap compared to 'Chronicles of the Tang Family.'" The dissatisfied member gestured at 'The Tale of Heroes' in his hand, unaware that the so-called leap he mentioned might be more relevant. "Are you slandering Ho Pil the author now?" The room darkened as the other members’ faces grew grim. "I knew you’d cross the line someday and turn rogue." "Looks like we finally get to use the Yi Chang method for dealing with a troublemaker." "I learned the Huang method from Yi Chang. Everyone, stand. Let’s get ready." The members seemed poised to dismantle the so-called troublemaker with a gaze sharp enough to tear him apart. "No, it’s not that! I’m bringing up a character issue about Wu Ying Shen Tu. A leap Ho Pil the author took aiming for popularity," the disgruntled member hurriedly explained. "Are you talking about the righteous thief?" "A so-called gentleman unwilling to work honestly, giving away others' possessions to the poor without a care. How is this even conceivable?" "Is that so? I heard rumors of bandits in the northeastern part of Ho Buk province doing similar things, keeping the officials beleaguered. Couldn’t it be plausible then?" "Ah! This guy knows one thing but is oblivious to the other two. Bandits might do such things, but thieves don't." The disgruntled member said, raising one corner of his mouth. "Bandits might do that, but thieves wouldn’t? What are you saying?" "Think about bandits setting up a base in the mountains. They would plant trees to prevent landslides, pave roads, pick out stones, and then charge a toll. Is that the end of their green forest duties?" "Isn't that enough to collect tolls?" "Bandits also need to drink, embrace women, and secure food for their stronghold, right? They'd need to befriend nearby villagers to get supplies. So, to win them over, they'd engage in activities that gain favor. What you heard are likely tales exaggerated from such stories." "I don't think so. From what I heard…" "Enough. Bandits may be like that, but a thief is different. A thief acts alone, so there's no need for all that. That Ho Pil the author would throw such a curveball, sticking to thorough historical accuracy all the while. Tsk tsk." It was more enjoyable when 'Chronicles of the Tang Family' was around. How could these newcomers waltzing into Da Seo Gak after reading 'The Tale of Heroes' be true fans of Ho Pil? And why did Ho Pil the author write 'The Tale of Heroes' to accommodate such transients? The man criticized 'The Tale of Heroes,' his discontent clear. "If there were a thief who stole from the rich tyrants and gave to the poor, wouldn't that be nice?" "That's why Ho Pil the author made one, I suppose. He featured a thief only possible in imagination to attract audiences. Tsk tsk." "No…" "Everyone!" Just as another member was about to speak, a member of Mu Han Readers’ Association hurriedly burst through the door to the second floor. "What’s going on?" "Have you heard the news?!" The recently entered member's face was filled with disbelief. "What news?" "Last night!" "Last night?" "The phantom thief Wu Ying Shen Tu appeared!"