The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

It had been a while since I made a woman cry with words.

During my childhood, when my literary sensibilities were rich, I confessed my love through writing, only to hear, ‘Why would someone like you like me?’ followed by tears of anger.

What was I supposed to do when she cried in front of everyone? Because of that, I became a villain in the girls’ group and a joke among my friends.

Damn her. She had no idea how much PTSD that gave me.

Later, I cured my PTSD by writing an erotic story with her as the villainous heroine.

‘Author, this female character is so life-like. Is there a real model?’

‘No. There isn’t. But imagine her with short hair, upturned eyes, and smoky makeup.’

Anyway, Moyong Sang-ah bursting into tears was unexpected.

Why cry? Just say you won’t kill Kang Yun-ho. Just assure me of that.

I was flustered, but since I had chosen to continue playing the sweet male lead, I casually wiped her tears with my sleeve.

Should I give her a slight hug to comfort her? No, we’re not that close yet. If I touched her and she pushed my hand away, it would hurt my feelings. So, I just wiped her tears with my sleeve.

How could a woman crying be so heart-flutteringly beautiful?

Ha. What kind of guy would make such a woman fall for him? Probably the hero who would appear in the future.

Having used everything I prepared, it was time to use my last trick and part ways. I pulled out a small jar.

[What’s this?]

I thought about writing again, but since the important part was over, I decided to speak.

“Congratulations on passing the test. Only the wedding remains. This is tiger balm, good for bruises. It wouldn’t be good for the person I’m about to marry to have scars.”

I applied the ointment carefully to Moyong Sang-ah’s cheek. She seemed a bit surprised by the direct skin contact, but fortunately, she didn’t reject my hand.

How about that? A man who couldn’t bear to see his woman hurt. Sweet, right? Be moved.

Despite the unexpected turn of events, I managed to soothe Moyong Sang-ah’s emotions and leave the room.

I hadn’t chosen the Moyong Family route, so I was unaware, but her personality seemed different from what I had anticipated. I expected a character with little emotional variation and few expressions, yet she teared up after just a few words. Could it be that I was too cool?

Impossible.

Even considering it was laughable and I chuckled to myself. She must have been overwhelmed with emotion from receiving help in her time of isolation.

Still, it was a positive development that she went from calling me a murderer and ‘that guy’ to ‘Young Master’. It meant she now regarded me as an ally.

I had crossed one of the most critical thresholds.

It felt like passing Hulao Pass in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. All that was left was to take Dong Zhuo’s head, but since my own head was on the line, I needed to escape.

‘The news of treason on the wedding day will remain the same.’

Only two days remained until the wedding. It was safe to assume that Kang Yun-ho’s family had already been arrested for treason. Likely, a messenger was en route to Yodong Castle with the news.

Even if Moyong Sang-ah sent word to Joseon that it was all fabricated evidence, it would be too late. Being taken to court was already a certainty.

The Kang family would be annihilated. That fundamental fact wouldn’t change.

I had to accept that there were things beyond my power to alter.

‘I must flee immediately after the news of treason breaks.’

Where was I? In the Moyong Family, infiltrated by the Demonic Sect. If word of the treason reached them, neither the Moyong members nor the Demonic Sect’s followers would see me off kindly.

“Brother-in-law, I have received the dowry, but is there anything else you wish to offer? You have hidden wealth in the Central Plains. Hand it over.”

“Hey, is this all? Do you wish to accompany me to the roof?”

“Now that I think about it, if we want to improve our relations with the Korean ginseng traders, we need to send another gift.”

And I would ask what that is.

“Your head.”

Ugh… Just thinking about it was terrifying.

I never thought I could live peacefully as the rascal husband of the Moyong Family. It was a marriage between families, and if the other family was wiped out, the marriage couldn’t continue.

To survive, the best thing was to not die on the first night and escape successfully.

With that thought, I walked toward Moyong Bi’s office.

“Master Kang Yun-ho has arrived.”

I had to inform him of the test results, so I had to show the rascal Kang Yun-ho again.

“Welcome, brother-in-law. How did Sang-ah fare? Do I need to invite people for tomorrow?”

Moyong Bi greeted me with open arms, seemingly eager.

“She barely passed.”

“Hmm, you weren’t swayed by her beauty, were you?”

“I saw it as an opportunity to correct her misguided ways, but it was disappointing. Despite rumors of her being a prodigy, she kept getting questions wrong and barely made the grade.”

It was always best to join in criticizing someone they dislike.

“That’s right! You’ve seen her true colors. She’s overrated! So full of herself without even realizing it.”

If Moyong Sang-ah was overrated, then you were just a bubble. Was this inferiority and resentment why he foolishly cooperated with the Demonic Sect, leading to his family’s downfall?

“I am concerned she might act too boldly once she’s back at her family home.”

“Hmm, don’t worry too much. Frequent sparring helps you understand your opponent’s character. That girl always waits and bides her time, regardless of the situation, looking for an opportunity. But, brother-in-law, would you give her a chance to step up in your family?”

“Ha-ha. Of course not. I’ll keep her in her place.”

Right. Her opportunistic nature was the problem.

I worried about Moyong Sang-ah’s trump card.

“‘I heard the news of your family’s treason. Please just die for me.’”

Her thoughts might have changed after hearing the news of her family’s downfall.

Moyong Sang-ah might have considered what the best choice was and could have decided to kill me for Kang Yun-ho’s wealth.

So, I couldn’t let my guard down until the very last moment.

“It’s amazing that martial arts can reveal such things.”

“When you reach a higher level, you see what lies beneath. Even things like Moyong Sang-ah’s character.”

Why couldn’t such a person see that he was ruining his own family?

“The heights of martial arts sound incredibly distant.”

“Right, you haven’t trained in martial arts. Have you ever witnessed it in action?”

“I’ve seen the skills of the head of the guards. But they seemed more like skills to fend off bandits, not of high caliber.”

Even though I was in a world of martial arts novels, I had never actually seen martial arts in action.

According to Kang Yun-ho’s memories, the head of the guards was the highest in martial arts skill around him, but even he wasn’t of high caliber.

“Hmm… Since I have time today, would you like to witness martial arts?”

“Martial arts?”

“Wouldn’t it be odd for someone marrying into the Moyong Family to have never seen martial arts? I can’t show you myself, but I’ll arrange for someone to show you the Moyong Family’s martial arts.”

“I appreciate the opportunity to broaden my horizons, brother. Thank you.”

I’d like to see the righteous martial arts of the Moyong Family, not your Demonic Cult arts. It was a world I had read about in countless novels but never actually seen. I’d like to see the martial arts of that world.

“Is there anyone outside?”

Moyong Bi called someone and ordered them to show me the Moyong Family’s martial arts. I thanked Moyong Bi and headed to the practice grounds with the Moyong Family people.

Finally, I was going to see the martial arts of this world!

“Chief.”

After Kang Yun-ho left, Moyong Bi quietly called the chief.

“Sub clan head. What can I do for you?”

The chief, who had been appointed after Moyong Bi’s father’s friend was dismissed, was a loyal follower of the Demonic Sect, assisting Moyong Bi.

“Was there any report from the guards outside the door?”

While Moyong Bi trusted the rascal Kang Yun-ho, he also acknowledged the power of his sister’s beauty, so he asked the chief for confirmation.

“Although we couldn’t hear everything due to the soundproofing, it seems they only exchanged a few words initially and then continued with the test. And apparently, Miss Moyong Sang-ah barely passed, bursting into tears at the end.”

The chief relayed what he had gathered from the guards standing outside.

“She cried? She didn’t even cry when she lost to me. She must really hate being humiliated. I missed a good show.”

Moyong Bi sighed with genuine regret.

“I can’t even imagine making the great Miss Moyong Sang-ah cry.”

“I matched them as a perfect couple! To think they’re already not getting along before marriage. Ha-ha. What a good thing. Right, Chief?”

“Ha-ha. I can already picture Miss Moyong Sang-ah’s unhappy married life.”

“He’s a man I carefully chose; he should at least be able to do that.”

“Is there even a man in the Central Plains who wouldn’t be swayed by Miss Moyong Sang-ah’s beauty? A man who can spit venom calmly despite her looks, and who is accustomed to dealing with women so as not to be swayed by her. To think we’d find such a man from a barbarian family in another country. Truly remarkable.”

The chief looked at Moyong Bi with an admiring expression.

“Ha-ha. Barbarian, you say. He’s my precious brother-in-law, who will deal with that girl Sang-ah and bring wealth to our family. Be careful with your words.”

Moyong Sang-ah was Moyong Bi’s enemy, a man who could torment her while simultaneously increasing the Moyong Family’s wealth.

Before he realized it, Kang Yun-ho had become ‘my brother-in-law’ in Moyong Bi’s heart.

“I misspoke. My apologies.”

“If you understand, be more careful next time. Are the wedding preparations going well?”

“Yes. We’ve made excuses to the notable figures of the martial world to prevent their attendance, focusing instead on local dignitaries and relatives for a modest ceremony.”

“Right. Why should her wedding be grand? It doesn’t look good for a sister to be sold to a foreign country. We should minimize external guests to prevent rumors.”

“Yes. It’s a wise decision.”

“Soon, that tiresome girl’s competition for succession will be over.”

“Congratulations in advance.”

“I always say this, but you, Chief, have worked hard. And so has the Cult. Once I become the head of the family, I’ll make sure to repay you.”

“There’s no need for that.”

Laughter, filled with cunning and malice, flowed from Moyong Bi’s office.