Ch 366 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

I just need to hold out until dawn. Today's meeting place is in a brothel located south of the Yangtze River. It's a perfect spot for Domun to conduct business, especially since Haomun's influence is most prosperous in Hubei Province. At least, that's the case during the night. Hubei Province is a realm dominated by the upright faction. Even Domun would keep a low profile during the day. But as soon as night falls again, Im Ha-yeon will be nominated as the new Tumun head. Since the meeting starts at midnight, I thought I'd only have to endure a few hours, but— "Why? Don’t want to take it? Gimun head. If the new face doesn't want it, are you willing to receive it as an apology gift?" It seems the madman had no intention of giving us any time from the start. "Danewangui (the Arm Severing Ghost). This isn't the place to boast about your hobbies." The Arm Severing Ghost... How notorious must he have been in con gambling dens to earn such a nickname? "Mamun head. Don’t you know that if you mutter that nickname in front of me, you'd better be ready to give up an arm?" Did he want to earn the title "Three-Arm Crusher" by grabbing others' arms? Domun's expression grew serious at Mamun's words. The atmosphere turned chilly. We cannot allow a civil war to erupt without even trying anything. I stood with a light-hearted voice. "It seems the mood's turned sour because of me." "Our newbie's finally getting up." "I go by Muyeong Shintoo in the martial world. It's a hollow title, but I look forward to our future together." A madman always has a reason for his madness. His intent was to unsettle the atmosphere through a show of strength, but there's no need to dance to his tune. I introduced myself calmly, adopting the ceremonial fist salute. "From what I've heard, the previous Muyeong Shintoo had pink hair." "The current Muyeong Shintoo is the adopted sibling of the previous one, they say." Gimun head answered Danewangui's clearly suspicious question on my behalf. "Adopted sibling? And yet, Muyeong Shintoo has an adoptee?" Domun looked me over from top to bottom, evidently incredulous. "My skills are thanks to the martial arts passed down by my adopted brother, allowing me to gain a modest reputation." With my introduction, I naturally shifted their attention to Tumun's disciples. They nodded in agreement, confirming my story. So what if you don't believe it? The official seal of authenticity is set. "Interesting. Very interesting. Quite fascinating." "What do you find so amusing?" I asked Domun in a relaxed manner. Though my lips smiled, my eyes didn't. What could he be planning to say? "To have a black-haired Muyeong Shintoo... You just reminded me of someone." You're Kang Yun-ho, aren't you? Domun's sly gaze seemed to sweep over the mask I was wearing. "There are so many black-haired people in Wuhan that I have no idea who you're referring to." Did you think I'd be shaken by just that? There's no shortage of black-haired folk in Wuhan. Even your subordinates must have eaten food delivered by a black-haired person yesterday. My scoffing spread loudly from under the mask. "Is that so? I suppose that could happen. But newbie, why are you doing crazy things?" Could he be retreating a step because his easy plan to shake me failed? Domun took a step back this time and questioned in a probing manner. "Does being an altruistic thief require a reason?" "I'm quite suspicious. It's like you're acting to quickly become the Tumun head, as if there's a reason why you want it so badly. And I’ve never been wrong with such suspicions." Domun stepped forward, as if ready to unmask me if I said the wrong thing. "May I ask you a question as well?" There's no need to be intimidated and give away a clue. Questions should be met with questions. I asked with a composed voice. "Answer mine first..." "Domun head. If you've set this tone for the welcome party, at least show some courtesy." This is why you need to have many allies. As Gimun reprimanded him without concealing his displeasure, Domun tutted, looking discontent as he stared at me. "Tsk. Fine, newbie. Ask away." "Why do you go around cutting off other people's arms?" "Why, you ask? If you cut through all the complicated reasons... Because it's fun?" Domun considered my question for a moment before replying as if it were no big deal. I thought you might say that. I chuckled again before speaking. "I do it because it's fun too." "What?" Domun stopped in his tracks as he attempted to approach me. "It's amusing to see the rich tremble, wondering if they're next. It's enjoyable to see them despair and struggle after receiving my notice, only to ultimately succumb and cry out. And just when they think the damage is over, the constables arrive and drag them to ruin, making for a good night's sleep. Isn't that so, Domun head?" It's not because I want to be a chivalrous thief. Nor is it because I want to be the Tumun head. It's for the enjoyment. Because acting on my whims made me the Tumun head. As a member of the unorthodox faction, as the leader of thieves, it was the only honest answer I could give. "Keh." "Did that answer your question?" Now it was my turn to provoke. I took a step closer to Domun, asking if he was satisfied. Domun pursed his lips, meeting my gaze. A brief silence enveloped us. Was he trying to discern any indication of pretentiousness from me, perhaps? It doesn’t matter. Roll your eyes all you want. If you can find it, go ahead. If my acting were that easily uncovered, I wouldn’t have made it to this position. "Keh-heh. Wow. Although I pride myself on being a crazy one too, for the first time, I admit there's someone I have to concede to." Has he accepted my logic? Domun chuckled dryly and applauded me. "Then..." With this, he'd probably start the meeting. I turned to take my seat. "But you know, that's not quite enough for acknowledgment." Domun's voice dripped with evident derision. 'Of course. Convincing through words was a fool's hope from the start.' He didn’t come here to chat and laugh in the first place. He's trying to provoke me to reveal my identity, planning to mobilize his forces if I stumble. Swords and shields. How should I deal with a foe who doesn’t wish for a battle of words, a duel of logic? I expected as much. I had a method I could use. "Who asked for your acknowledgment?" Confront provocation with provocation, and blade with blade. "What?" Domun's eyes widened slightly at my sudden shift in demeanor. "If you have ears, you've heard of what I've done; if you have eyes, you've seen what I've accomplished. I've already proven myself before the disciples of Tumun. Why should I seek acknowledgment from a mere gambler?" I spoke, lacing my voice with indignation. "Our newbie seems quite upset..." "This event is to preemptively celebrate my assumption as the head of Tumun. Those gathered here acknowledge me, and disciples who haven't come to Wuhan in a decade gather on my behalf to bear witness. If you're not here to celebrate, then why are you here?" Reveal your motives. I swiftly struck at the heart of the matter. "Well..." I had no intention of letting him answer. I needed to appear as though I were above him, to seize the initiative. I closed the gap between us in a single step, cutting off Domun's words with a question. "Are you really that curious about who’s behind the mask?" The distance between us was close enough that a simple reach of the hand would allow us to touch faces. Domun's eyes shimmered with greed, as if he'd finally grasped what he desired. "Very curious. Extremely curious." The sword I wield was small. In a battle of will and will, of sword and sword, continuously engaging in a power struggle will only push me onto the defensive. Even if I feigned anger, Domun would see it as the last act of a fledgling. I would be doing nothing but aiding him, as he arrived fully prepared for this encounter. But the real sword had yet to be swung. Even with a lesser sword in this battle of wills, there was a strategy to triumph over a larger one. Precisely by— "If you want, I'll give you the chance to unmask me yourself." —Handing the sword's hilt over to the opponent. "Tumun head!" "Everyone stay calm! Normally, you either carry suspicions to the end or completely lay them to rest." The surprised voice of Simun head, who had been quietly observing, rang out, but I didn't turn my head. I needed to keep gazing at Domun with eyes ready to clash at any moment. "If you wish, unmask me. But remember one thing." I'll place the sword's hilt in your hand. The choice is yours. But that does not mean I'll concede. "What is it?" "This mask is one the Tumun disciples bestowed upon me as the face of Tumun. Should the head of Domun choose to unmask it..." My mask symbolizes the entire Tumun. Imbue the veil of falsehood with significance. Assign symbolic value to the mask that must be torn away. "If I unmask it?" "I'll take it as Domun deciding to distrust the entire Tumun from now on." Though I may seem defenseless, I know your vulnerabilities well enough. I know precisely what you fear most. The one vote I possess. The single vote crucial for you to ascend as the leader of Ho-mun. Swing your sword if that's what you desire—I'll hand you mine as well. But if I emerge unscathed from your blow— 'You will lose everything.' "Hah..." For the first time that night, a shadow of conflict appeared in Domun's eyes. How many years had Danewangui prepared to become the leader of Ho-mun? My mask had now become a gamble with one's entire fortune on the line. If the face revealed isn't mine, all of Domun's meticulously laid plans would unravel. A mask thought to be easily removed by Domun, now transformed into a life-defining gamble. "I'll say it again. Unmask me if you want. If not—" I had no intention of being content with merely creating a gambling table with Domun's entire fortune at stake. "If not?" Domun’s question prompted me into action. I executed the Mooyoung Shin Technique's movement, prepared for this very day. Without any preparatory motion, I slid towards the table and picked up my own wager. In my hand was a bottle of liquor—a sheath and a new stake. "Would you grant me the honor of pouring a drink for my senior?" Letting it be forgotten. If you accept this drink, I’ll overlook your rudeness today. In turn, you must rid yourself of all suspicions, sheathing your sword along with the one I presented. With a roguish wink, I offered the bottle. Domun's eyes wavered. Placing bets at the right moment is a gambler's virtue, but knowing when to fold is equally so. Would he risk losing everything on the gamble, or resign himself with a drink? A short but profound moment of decision passed. "Keh-heh-heh-heh. Fine. Let's see how special a drink poured by a junior tastes. Bring the largest glass!" Domun declared his concession. --- The moon was setting. "Everyone, head back safely." "I had a good time today. Let's meet again often." For someone, the longest night ended, while for another, it was the night they prayed for the safe return of their beloved. "Oof, these old folks just don't know when to stop." Domun stretched, waving to the black-haired Tumun head climbing into a carriage. The gathering, which began with tensions high enough to snap, ended in such a convivial atmosphere that participants were waving each other goodbye. "Domun leader, you've done well. Shall we organize a formal meeting with the Tumun head?" Perhaps everything could be resolved easily. Domun's subordinate suggested. "And do what once we've met?" "Surely he wants something. Be it women or power, whatever he desires, hand it to him, and with a single vote, we're done." "Keh-heh-heh-heh." "Domun leader?" "None of them realized, did they?" The laughter had vanished from Domun’s voice. "What do you mean?" "It took me time to be sure too, so I can understand." "Leader?" "Give me half a day. Bring Im Hayeon here. Search all places of suspicion. If they resist, even chop down Gimun’s men if you have to. Just find her." "Do you mean to move our forces?" "Must I repeat myself?" "Understood. But do we really need to provoke the new Tumun head unnecessarily? Wouldn't having a conversation first be more prudent?" A hostage can be a handshake in disguise. Even if the new Tumun head is merely the adopted sibling of the previous Muyeong Shintoo, there's a significant difference between taking a random daughter hostage and taking the daughter of an adopted brother hostage. "A black-haired person as the new Tumun head? Keh-heh-heh." "As abrupt as it might seem, it makes perfect sense if he's the adopted sibling of Muyeong Shintoo, doesn't it?" No one in Domun anticipated a black-haired person would appear as the Tumun head. However, if both the heads and people of Tumun acknowledged it, isn't there little ground for doubt? Domun gazed at his bewildered subordinates and revealed the reason behind his skepticism. "You fools. It's all too perfect." Too perfect indeed. "What?" Kang Yunho didn't make a mistake. His portrayal of Muyeong Shintoo stirred even the formidable Domun head. Throughout the drinking session, he kept everyone from getting a solid grasp on certainty. Simun head discreetly stroked his beard at the performance, and Gimun, taking puffs from his cigarette, couldn’t help but chuckle silently. Even the disciples of Tumun, who knew the truth, wondered inside if Kang Yunho was truly their prospective head. It was that flawless. However, there was one fact those present at the gathering overlooked. "When you don't know who's the sucker at the table, it usually means it's you." The opponent was a man who collected the wrists of countless con artists. He was none other than the Domun head who aspired to ascend beyond leadership, to become the king of all Haomun factions. "I'll move immediately!" "Before dawn breaks, bring back that fake Muyeong Shintoo too." The moon was setting, and the dawn Kang Yunho so eagerly awaited was about to rise. Yet the night was not over. The night, meticulously prepared for over a decade by a madman, was far from over. Time was running out, but insufficient for everyone. Now was the moment to expend every effort toward the final stretch to determine who would emerge victorious.