Ch 353 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

The Outlaws – Chapter 1 "They're releasing the third volume of 'Chronicles of Chivalry'?" "How long has it been since the second volume came out? I thought we'd have to wait at least half a year." "Three volumes of 'Tales of the Tang Clan' released in just one year! What kind of absurd writing speed is this?" In a world where it can take years for a single book to be published, the fact that the third volume is out despite the debates between Unhyeon and the Tang faction is astonishing. People at Daseogak were in disbelief when they saw the announcement for the third volume of 'Chronicles of Chivalry.' "At this pace, just release the fourth volume of 'Tales of the Tang Clan'!" "Could it be that Ho Pil has lost interest in 'Tales of the Tang Clan'...?" "Hey, such reckless talk! He said he'd publish it as soon as the debt issue is resolved!" Even loyal fans of 'Tales of the Tang Clan' expressed their dismay, but the extraordinarily swift release of the third volume quickly assuaged their disappointment. "Anyway, 'Chronicles of Chivalry' volume three is here!" "Let's go, the tale of Unhyeon living with the beautiful female master and Muyeong Sin-tu!" The shock soon faded, and joy and excitement lingered. The devoted readers erupted into cheer that echoed through Daseogak at this unexpected delight, albeit not announced by official notice. --- "You're supposed to be training in the martial arts, yet you’ve been wandering around since dawn! You'll be twenty soon—get it together already!" In a house of Mu Hyeon, a mother scolded her son who had left at dawn and returned well past noon. "Mother! I was with Gwanju and the government officials!" Her son usually felt guilty doing such things, but today he answered confidently, as if it were legitimate. "What? Where did you go?" "A place to learn the true essence of consultation, calm and patient waiting." "Doesn't seem like you're lying... Did you go to a temple with Gwanju and do 108 prostrations at dawn?" Gwanju was known for strictly controlling his officials. Although his mother looked at him skeptically, she couldn't continuously doubt her son's confident demeanor. "I undertook even more important training today! Mother, I am tired. I’m going to rest!" If his mother found out, he'd be doomed. He faked fatigue as he lugged the item hidden in his embrace into his room. What the young man had concealed was the third volume of 'Chronicles of Chivalry.' In truth, he had queued up with Gwanju, also a devoted reader of the series, to buy the new release. "To read it the day it comes out!" Now he realized the importance of training. Though he stood in line from dawn until half the day, he wasn't tired at all. Setting aside his thoroughly read and worn-out second volume, he opened the first page of the third volume, unable to hide his anticipation. ————— [It is Yeon Hyeon, the young hero!] [I heard last time he cut down the notorious Samansamdu with just one strike!] [Those one-eyed scoundrels? Are those bastards finally dead? I heard they killed a vendor for refusing to pay protection fees! Good riddance.] "Even after saving Jin So-yu, he never neglects his duties as a hero. And what about Muyeong Sin-tu?" Didn’t the three of them start living together? What could possibly happen? The young man couldn’t tear his eyes away from the book. [Miss Ok-ryeon.] [Young hero Yeon Hyeon. You needn't be so formal with a servant.] [She serves at the Fengyun martial house, not directly under you. Since Miss Ok-ryeon isn't informal with me, I find this more comfortable.] [So if I speak casually, will you?] [What?!] [Lol. Just kidding, young hero Yeon Hyeon.] "Ah. As expected from Muyeong Sin-tu! What a character she has!" Perfect match. With a character like that, she could surely be a match for the tenacious Jin So-yu. A slight smile crept onto the young man's face. [Miss Ok-ryeon. You were preparing ingredients? Let me help you.] [There’s no need.] [It's fine. I'm good at it. I've done it a lot during training in the hermitage with my teacher.] [I'm not saying you're bad at it...] [Are you going shopping today, Miss Ok-ryeon? Let me accompany you.] [I can go alone.] [Why would you, a lady, go alone? There could be heavy things a man should carry, let me accompany you.] Muyeong Sin-tu looked annoyed, but she didn't seem to dislike it. "If I did that, I'd be told to be more considerate." The young man recalled Yeon Hyeon's face in a scroll at Daseogak and wore a bitter smile. [Good thing I followed. How dare they try to misbehave with Miss Ok-ryeon.] [Thank you. Let me treat you to a meal.] [With a stipend as a servant... Quite a lot you have there.] [Right? Otherwise, I might have cut off another purse.] [What?] "Hahaha! She must’ve taken the wallet from the guy who tried to harass her!" I suspected as much about the heroic thief—truly lives up to the name of Muyeong Sin-tu. With a bold personality and striking looks. Though the young man had read the second volume until it was tattered due to his fondness for Jin So-yu, he couldn't deny Muyeong Sin-tu's allure. [Are you the man they call Yeon Hyeon?] [Do you really need to ask when you already know?] "A single loach spoils the stream, they say! Today we shall avenge our brothers in Samansamdu with a blood debt!"] "To ambush him while he's eating, how cowardly!" Though he's Yeon Hyeon, there are too many opponents. What could he possibly do? Will Muyeong Sin-tu lend a hand? The young man quickly skimmed over the words in excitement. [Ha, building a defensive line like this. It's pathetic, like a dog retreating with its tail between its legs!] [It's done.] [What?! What do you mean it's done?] [It means the innocent people on the first floor have all escaped. While at it, I'll give you a chance too. Do you want to run?] [Attack!] "Even in a critical situation, to care for the innocent! Truly Yeon Hyeon, the young hero!" Yeon Hyeon doesn't show confidence without good reason. As the young man had anticipated, Yeon Hyeon's Bagua Swordsmanship unfolded before the black-clad fighters. [Unbelievable! How, how is he doing this?!] "Ah, in volume two, the same situation would have been a crisis. But one realization makes all the difference. Even with a gang of third-rate fighters, they can’t compare!" The young man clenched his fist unconsciously, exhilarated by Unhyeon's triumphs. To resolve a crisis that had appeared in previous volumes with such ease—it felt as if Unhyeon's growth was his own victory. --- "I'll treat your wounds." Muyeong Sin-tu began tending to Unhyeon's injuries upon their return to the residence. "Thank you." "It's admirable to help others, but don't you think you're being a bit reckless?" "That's right. Sometimes, he should be more mindful of his own safety." Unhyeon's actions were admirable but occasionally too single-minded. The young man nodded in agreement with Muyeong Sin-tu's sentiment. "There are people in need." "Once in a while, you could just ignore it." It made sense. But Unhyeon knew he couldn't turn away. He decided to delve into memories when he noticed the concerned expression on Si-bi's face. "…When I was young, our village was attacked by bandits." "You must have your reasons." "Being a remote farming village, we couldn't give the bandits the money they demanded, and in their anger, they massacred my village. I'm the only survivor." "Did you become a hero because you held a grudge against the bandits?" "No. That day, had my teacher not noticed the smoke rising in the distance and turned his back upon seeing the number of bandits, I wouldn't be here." "…" Just like his teacher had done, he vowed not to turn away from those in need. From his earliest days to the present, Unhyeon's resolve remained unchanged. The young man's interpretation, though, was entirely different. "Unhyeon, this guy... Is he a martial artist, or an expert in romance?" Could he have planned this? Confessing his sincere dedication to heroism in front of a noble thief who even steals to help the poor. Even the formidable Muyeong Sin-tu found herself at a loss for words before Unhyeon. "Young hero Yeon Hyeon, shall we shop for groceries together today?" Ever since that day, Muyeong Sin-tu's attitude towards Unhyeon had started to soften. "Shall we?" "What are you talking about? How can a guest like the young hero be expected to shop?" "She's here! Lady Jin!" The young lady who had been preoccupied with settling debt issues, Lady Jin So-yu, finally made her appearance. "I'm volunteering to go with Miss Ok Ryeong. Calm yourself, Lady Jin." "I'm Lady Jin… Miss Ok Ryeong is the servant?" "What?" "Oh, never mind. I'll join you then." "Hahaha. This is it! Ho Pil's novels wouldn't be complete without these moments! Lady Jin, with her gracefully domestic character, is getting jealous!" As the subtle tension between the two women unfolded, the young man couldn't wipe the grin off his face. In the realm of Fengyun martial arts, where a martial artist had made a name for himself as a hero, the days were filled with the joy of two women's deepening feelings for one man. However, Unhyeon didn't seem nearly as cheerful. ----- "Young hero Yeon Hyeon? Are you injured?! Fetch a doctor!" "Gah!" "I have experience as a medicine woman! Let me take a look. What on earth happened?" "It couldn't be stopped…" "Unhyeon injured? How could this be? His opponent must be very skilled!" "The son of the black-clad one I disarmed last time came seeking revenge. He said because of me, his family was left on the streets." "You got this injury over such a trivial matter?" "There was always a risk when I chose the heroic path. I understood that wielding a sword as a hero would bring enmities. Even so… this wound today feels particularly painful." While Unhyeon felt fulfilled by his heroics, his face seemed darker than usual today. "The dilemma of heroes and enmity. Indeed, this is why martial artists of the righteous sects rarely engage in heroic deeds." The young man recalled Gwanju's words. Gwanju had often declared that while people of the righteous sects spoke of heroism, no martial artist actually ventured into the world to engage in heroic deeds. He said they masked self-interest as righteousness, yet a true interest in stepping forward for others was rare in this world. He urged everyone to reflect on true heroism through Unhyeon's actions. Gwanju had consistently praised 'Chronicles of Chivalry.' "Could it be? Is Ho Pil Writer aware of the current state of the martial world and seeking to challenge it?" Ho Pil, who loves heroes more than anyone. Unhyeon rushed into the world to become a hero. An individual like Unhyeon, who seemed untouchable by any black-clad warrior, had been wounded by his own sense of heroism. The contemplation a hero must endure. What one deems right may not be so. It could result in further victims. He wondered if Ho Pil was stirring thoughts for reflection. "Even in 'Tales of the Tang Clan,' Unhyeon is recognized as a hero. Maybe he's found the answer?" Plagued by such profound issues, merely yearning for heroism at a martial academy seemed an unsolvable dilemma for him. If Unhyeon, renowned as a hero even in the 'Tales of the Tang Clan' era, hadn't he perhaps reached a conclusion? "A heart demon? There must be a way." Muyeong Sin-tu, as if dismissing Unhyeon's newfound mental turmoil, smiled and vanished into the night. What answer would Ho Pil Writer offer through Muyeong Sin-tu? Eager to discover, the young man turned to the next chapter.