Ch 363 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

**Tu Mun – 3** "You should start training your martial arts." The next day, after meeting Tu Mun with Ki Mun Hyangju, Lady Ha Yeon returned and said to me and Lady Jae Gal. "All of a sudden?" "They said someone will come from Tu Mun to verify the facts. We cannot afford to draw suspicion about that person's agenda." "Recently, I reached the second stage of the Muyeongsin Technique. Can I deepen my accomplishments in just ten days?" Ever since being pursued by Do Mun, I hadn't been idle. To survive in the treacherous martial world, whether one wields a fire-breathing sword, has martial art copying abilities, or can walk on empty air, at minimum, you must be able to escape efficiently. Thanks to a determined spirit and Lady Ha Yeon's one-on-one guidance, I had managed to comprehend the Muyeongsin Technique up to the second stage. "I'm also pondering over it. It would be good if there was a definitive way to prove the Muyeongsin Technique..." It seems even Lady Ha Yeon hasn't thought of a distinct method. "Tu Mun, would you believe it if I walked on water! How about trying to impress them with the 'Flatland Float' (similar to Jesus Walk)?" You never know. It might convince them in a different way. "I am being serious here." I am serious too. I want the readers of Pungwoon Hero Chronicles to believe that Muyeongsin Tu can walk on water. "Maybe, instead of becoming grandmasters of movement techniques, you could at least teach some gimmick to fake being one, like I do with my 'Jade Face Protection Arts' blade-catching technique." Lady Ha Yeon seemed to ponder my words for a moment but didn't seem to have any revelations. "Ah, well, um..." As we both fell silent, Lady Jae Gal, who had been observing quietly, carefully spoke up. "Lady Jae Gal, do you have any good thoughts?" "Perhaps you could utilize Kang Gongja's eyes?" "Eyes? Ah! Wait a minute. Indeed, at the second stage of the Muyeongsin Technique, could it become Mubō (無步)?" Upon Lady Jae Gal's words, Lady Ha Yeon seemed to have an idea and looked around. "Mubō (無步)?" What does that mean? Before I could ask, Lady Ha Yeon appeared before me with a wooden staff. "Try to dodge my staff. Without moving your feet." This is too sudden. You should at least ask for my consent before acting. Before I could speak, Lady Ha Yeon's arm moved. It's fast. I quickly focus my vision. The motion is a thrust. It comes straight for my nose. Lady Ha Yeon's feet don’t move. The distance is four steps. It'll hit before I can move my legs. I quickly pull my chin down and lean back, creating space where my head originally was. Thankfully, the staff stopped where my nose used to be. "What is this?!" "One more time." Lady Ha Yeon moves a step this time. If I do the same, I'll get hit on my forehead. I bend my knees, twist my shoulder, and narrowly dodge the staff. "That's dangerous!" "No need to bend your knees. Just changing the angle of your knees is enough to dodge. Lady Jae Gal certainly saw it well." Lady Ha Yeon nodded towards Lady Jae Gal, as if impressed. "Heh. It's nothing." Hey there. Shouldn't I be the one receiving the compliments? "Is this Mubō?" "Partly. You need to dodge in a tight space without moving your feet, and move along the enemy's path even more minimally. Once you master it, some from Tu Mun might recognize it as Muyeongsin Technique." "If insight and judgment are crucial, it doesn't seem impossible." Since the days of wandering the Central Plains, using insight every time I got challenged, I might give it a shot. "How fascinating." Lady Ha Yeon appraised me slowly, from top to bottom. "What is?" "Your dynamic vision is beyond what one would expect from someone of your starting level." "It's nothing. Lady Ha Yeon could also do it." "That's because I'm at a higher realm than you." "I also think you're amazing." Lady Jae Gal seemed to nod in agreement, intending to add to the praise directed at me. "Is it perhaps a family secret technique?" "Well... something like that." The original basis of So Yoon Sim Sang Gyeol is the Mo Yong Family Head’s secret technique. Thanks to its body enhancement effects, even when I had no internal energy, I could easily subdue petty thugs or third-rate martial artists. Even after refining it into So Yoon Sim Sang Gyeol, thanks to two women, its foundations became a lifeline that saved me numerous times. Considering that even martial artists wandering in the martial world for a lifetime find it hard to acquire skills beyond second-rate, it truly is an overly gracious technique. Hope both of them are doing well. "Are they women?" A chilly voice inquired at such a volume that the faces of two women in my thoughts froze momentarily. "Hmm?" Lifting my head, I saw the slightly displeased expressions of Lady Ha Yeon and Lady Jae Gal. "That woman taught you, right?" "Ah... well, haha." It wasn't Hwa Rin who taught me. It was two other women. Yet knowing that I couldn’t mention that without causing drama, I laughed awkwardly. "Kang Gongjaa!" Lady Jae Gal pursed her lips, looking up at me with a hint of resentment in her eyes. "Lady Jae Gal." "Yes, lady Ha Yeon." Lady Ha Yeon called Lady Jae Gal with a burning intent in her eyes. The mood is peculiar. It seemed like the two were exchanging opinions through eye contact. "Let’s train him rigorously together." "So he doesn't entertain any other thoughts?" "Precisely." Lady Ha Yeon and Lady Jae Gal nodded, gripping the wooden staff firmly. --- "Isn't this a bit much?" On my way out of the inn, having secured help from Si Mun Hyangju and Ma Mun Hyangju, I grumbled while rubbing my bruised shoulder. I wanted to protest against mixing emotions into training, but since there were results, I couldn’t say much. "How much do fruits cost...? Hmm?" As I was about to buy fruits at a stall, a child bumped into me. "I'm sorry!" Oh, look at this little mischief. "No need to apologize, kid. You should watch who you bump into." In the child's hand, which I held, was the wallet I had just kept in my pocket. "How did you...? Let go!" The pickpocket struggled, but no matter how much he squirmed, there was no escaping. What to do? Hand him over to the authorities? "Go." After a brief consideration, I simply took back my wallet and let go of his hand. "Pardon?" The pickpocket looked confused, rubbing his freed wrist. "I said go." I really don't have time to tussle over a pickpocket. I have to prepare for the meeting with the Hyangju and make Lady Ha Yeon the Tu Mun Hyangju as soon as possible. However, the boy didn’t budge. Why isn’t he leaving? "This is not right. Um... well..." The boy looked between me and the alley, fidgeting nervously. Wait a minute. You weren’t just aiming to pickpocket, were you? "Lead the way." —— “I brought him here! Wait, what?” As soon as we entered the alley, throwing weapons flew over the kid's head. "Tch!" I anticipated this. I dodged the flying weapons using only body movements. I couldn't stop here. Stopping my thoughts would close off my escape route. Following Lady Ha Yeon's advice, I moved my legs. A movement as swift as that designed for using martial arts. I directed my inner energy following the principles of the Muyeongsin Technique, but I neither soared upwards nor sprang backwards. Instead, I glided forward as if skating over ice. If my mastery of the Muyeongsin Technique were a bit deeper, it could seem like teleportation, but this was enough to dodge the weapons and reach the enemy’s stronghold. "Muyeongsin Technique?" "Is it truly?" "We’re still not sure. Everyone, stay quiet." As I reached the end of the alley, people were seated in an open space untouched by sunlight. "Is this how you greet visitors, who enter your domain uninvited, without any knowledge of proper invitations? What kind of welcome is this?" There was no need to ask who these people were. They were the Hao Mun Tu Mun. Pickpockets, spies, thieves. All were associated with the Hao Mun Tu Mun. "I’m not planning a lengthy conversation with a constable." In the middle of the alley's open space, a middle-aged man stood up, dusting off his seat. "That’s disappointing. I personally wanted to get to know you, talk about business, and later on, if you rack up some accomplishments, I might even send you some meals in prison." The one who threw the throwing weapons was you, wasn't it? You’re especially arrested for interfering with public duties. "If you’re not interested in listening, you might as well leave." "The others don’t seem to be in agreement with you." "......" There seem to be plenty who want to talk besides you. Where's your bravado? "Weren't you here to speak with me?" The man continued to scrutinize me with disbelief, then reluctantly asked, "Are you really the person related to the Tu Mun Hyangju?" "You came already knowing this. If you really want to know, ask Uncle Gwak." "You mean Gwak from the Yi’s Prosperity family?" "Who else with the last name Gwak would be a friend of my sworn elder brother?" The man's brow furrowed slightly. Why? Was it surprising that I knew even about Wang Uncle's friend? "It’s the first I’ve heard of the Hyangju having such a person in his circle, especially one who is a youth barely over twenty." "Being on good terms is a decision made among oneself. No one gives permission for it." Even Guan Yu addressed the much younger Liu Bei as brother; age isn't a big concern. Trust me already. Don't tell me this is your first time dealing with lies? Anyway, I assure you, I am sworn brothers with Wang from Chilgok County. The man studied my face intently, and finding no deceit, he sighed softly and spoke again. "We’ve confirmed the Muyeongsin technique, but that doesn’t necessarily prove you learned it from the Tu Mun Hyangju." Is he trying to claim I learned it from Lady Ha Yeon? "If you just deny everything, it's endless." Trying to prove the truth unnecessarily complicates things. It's better to make him seem like someone who simply cannot believe. With no reply, the man started a different conversation. "I heard you have other evidence." "You mean this?" I pulled out a black coin from my sleeve and flicked it to the man. As I handed over the black coin, others who’d been observing silently gathered around him. "It’s really the missing Tu Mun Hyangju’s black coin!" "This is unbelievable. It actually exists?" "I saw it only once, fifteen years ago. It’s undoubtedly genuine!" "How did you get this?" While I could claim I learned the Muyeongsin Technique from Lady Ha Yeon, claiming I obtained the black coin would be impossible. As those around returned to their places, the man, unable to hide his surprise, asked me. "My sworn brother gave it to me. Who else would?" First time seeing a black coin, huh? "Tu Mun Hyangju’s black coin has appeared in the world only three times." "Three times?" "Once to the previous Tu Mun Hyangju. Then to someone who saved a life. And now, today." The thing is, it’s rare, so don’t use it cheaply, use it for something important. Wang Uncle, this seems way too precious to be gifting. "Even holding such a precious black coin, you still doubt me? Why did you even come here for a conversation in the first place?" No need to show them too much of my intent. After presenting all this, are you still going to doubt me? I laughed softly and shrugged. The Muyeongsin Technique, the black coin, testimonies from the Hyangjus, even an affirmation from a prospective Muyeongsin Tu. Trust what you came to believe. "……We don’t seek conflict with Do Mun." "If you weren’t inclined to do something you don’t want, that’s what the black coin is for, isn’t it?" "Do you know the black coin’s cipher?" The cipher? Of course, I know. I just have to recount the code and response Lady Ha Yeon once shared with me. "On a night with no moon shadow." "Um?!" The man's eyes widened at my recitation of the code. "I’ll send a guest for the sake of a single flower." Did he not think I'd know the cipher? I relayed the response confidently, but their reactions were not what I expected. "Heh." "I see. That’s how it is." Why such reactions? The air was suddenly abuzz. "Did he... did he really inform you of that?" The man asked, his disbelief evident. "Even the current Muyeongsin Tu corroborated that it was indeed the Tu Mun Hyangju's cipher." Judging by their reactions, it seems I didn't answer incorrectly. So why is everyone buzzing? "So, that’s what it was. You certainly qualify as a confidant," the man said, slowly approaching me. He placed the black coin in my palm and curled my fingers around it, indicating I should keep it safe. "Pardon?" "I'll acknowledge you as a representative for the Hyangju meeting. Continue to support the prospective Hyangju." The man nodded, a satisfied smirk clearly visible on his face. ————— "You received Tu Mun’s consent? Just like that?" Lady Ha Yeon asked, puzzled by my bewildered expression upon my return. "Lady Ha Yeon, it's about the black coin's cipher." "The cipher?" "On a night with no moon shadow, I'll send a guest for the sake of a single flower. Does it carry any special meaning?" "Meaning?" "When I mentioned the cipher, everyone seemed convinced." Lady Ha Yeon appeared to ponder over my words for a moment before replying, "I only knew of one cipher." "Just one?" "That person told me the last time we met. If someone comes with a black coin and answers this cipher, they're trustworthy." "So everyone at Tu Mun knew the same thing?" Was there a special meaning assigned to the cipher? For example, using one particular cipher might mean the person is someone who saved a life and should be treated well. Another cipher might simply mean to offer basic convenience. The cipher I used might mean 'trustworthy, so don't question it further.' If that's the case, it explains why they stopped doubting me. "That person can be helpful at times. With one problem solved, let’s move quickly," Lady Ha Yeon said, grasping her wooden staff. "Are we training today as well?" Didn’t we achieve our goal already? "Do Mun might still have doubts. We’ll continue until the day before the meeting." I had no choice but to comply. Rubbing my bruised shoulder, I followed Lady Ha Yeon. ————- Ten days for Lady Ha Yeon to become the Tu Mun Hyangju. Ten days can feel long when you're waiting for something, but when preparing for something, it's often insufficient. "I think this is a good escape route," I suggested. "It's fine to adjust our movements depending on the situation." Planning, martial arts training, fitting in other tasks in between. Time raced by quickly. "I'm off." The day of the Hyangju meeting finally arrived.