The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

The 60th birthday feast of Im Gapsu, the head of Gapsu Trading Company, was a grand event.

Many people flocked to the Gapsu Trading Company’s birthday feast in Chilgok County.

Business associates, surrounding martial artists, courier service agents, and officials of Chilgok County were among the numerous dignitaries who came to celebrate Im Gapsu’s 60th birthday and to brighten the occasion.

On such a festive day, even uninvited guests were not turned away. Local poor people swarmed to the Gapsu Trading Company’s feast to enjoy a bowl of noodles.

When I used to wander the Central Plains, I would stop by such feasts for a bowl of noodles. It was a pity that, with black hair, I couldn’t disguise myself and come back for another bowl.

“A bowl of noodles here!”

“For the renowned Gapsu Trading Company, add a piece of meat!”

As I made my way inside the feast, I saw beggars eating noodles outside the feast house.

Especially on feast days, beggars always gathered. When else would beggars get to eat heartily, if not on these feast days?

“Did you hear? Im Gapsu’s 60th birthday is in two days.”

“In a week, there’s a rich family’s child’s first birthday in the next village.”

Beggars seemed to have their own network for sharing feast house information.

Within a few days, they shared information about who in Chilgok County was having a 60th birthday, a first birthday, or a wedding.

In fact, the way beggars shared information might have greatly inspired the depiction of the Beggars’ Sect in martial arts fiction as a group with an extensive information network.

On feast days, numerous beggars swarmed in front of the house. The hosts had to feed the beggars well to prevent them from causing trouble.

If the beggars were driven away, it could lead to a big commotion. If someone tried, the beggars would beat loud instruments like gongs to disturb the feast. They even threw filth at invited guests or started quarrels.

No host wanted to have bloodshed on a festive day. Thus, they provided some noodles or pieces of meat to the uninvited guests before sending them on their way.

Those who arrived uninvited to celebrate were treated with a measure of courtesy and tradition.

Of course, not turning away uninvited guests did not equate to welcoming everyone. These visitors simply received a modest meal before being sent off.

Guests with invitations from Gapsu Trading Company or other distinguished attendees were escorted inside to savor delicious food and witness rare spectacles during the main banquet.

“Over here.”

I followed a servant’s lead into the inner part of the banquet hall.

There, guests in luxurious attire were indulging in fine cuisine and marveling at unusual performances.

I, too, wished to join them as one of the guests, but alas, I was not a VIP; I was part of the rare spectacle.

“Our performance has ended!”

The acrobatic troupe that had performed before me had just concluded their act.

In the world of martial arts, even the circus held a distinct quality. The masters I had observed at the Moyong Family hadn’t displayed their swords openly, which made their show seem less impressive. However, the stunts choreographed for the performance were commendable in their own right.

I found myself clapping for them from behind the stage.

Was it my turn next? The pressure was a hundredfold.

“Next, it’s your turn. Go on out.”

The servant from Gapsu Trading Company, who had escorted me here, beckoned me forth.

“Yes, I’m going.”

What pressure? As a unique attraction, if you’re treated well, you must earn your keep.

“I am the storyteller from Joseon, Kang Mo.”

With a snap! I unfurled my fan with flair to capture the audience’s attention before offering my greeting.

“If you’re going to invite a storyteller, at least choose one from the Central Plains. Where did you find this barbarian?”

“Couldn’t the renowned Gapsu Trading Company secure a more competent storyteller?”

“That looks like garb I’ve seen in the marketplace once or twice.”

There were a few who recognized me, but many did not. I usually wander around the marketplace, and these days, people don’t recognize a popular figure.

The reaction before the performance was somewhat cold. Their eyes seemed to say, “Let’s see what you can do.”

“I’ll tell you the story of the famous Hamurin, the young master of Chilgok County!”

I knew I couldn’t change their perception in one go. I had to quickly ignite their interest with my skills.

“To be or not to be, that is the question!”

After several days of feasting and recovering with hangover soup, my body was in peak condition. My voice instantly captivated the people in the banquet hall.

“The storyteller has quite a voice.”

“There’s a famous barbarian in the marketplace these days. That must be him.”

“My son happened to listen to him once and found it very interesting. Perhaps it’s worth looking forward to?”

Please do look forward to it. Writers lived off attention, and I haven’t had any for a while. Since my writing didn’t attract any attention, I must earn it this way.

The beginning of the story unfolded just like in the marketplace.

“But heavens! Even if I kill those wretched people, there’s no evidence, and I’ll be executed for parricide. However, if I go to the scene where my father died and bring back evidence, I can kill those scoundrels!”

The next part of my story was usually the most important.

‘The Ha Family’s wealth is the filthy money of those wretched people. I can’t use such dirty money for revenge. Oh heavens! Could you please grant me some travel expenses!’

This was the part where I employed the ‘soliciting money technique’ (邀錢法).

The job of a storyteller was all about making a living, and this part about earning money was the most crucial.

In the marketplace, I would walk around the audience and not continue the story until the money box was filled. But today’s venue was not the marketplace.

Since my story was a one-time paid event, there was no need for a 30-second commercial.

“The Ha Family’s wealth belongs to those filthy people. I can’t use such dirty money for revenge. This money, which I gathered myself for my father’s birthday gift! With this money, I will set off!”

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I glossed over the parts where Hamurin had to use the ‘soliciting money technique’ and continued the story.

“Uncle! Confess your sins to our father in heaven!”

I pointed the fan toward the imaginary uncle in the air, speaking with a bold attitude.

“You’re already poisoned and dying! Such a doomed man has much to say! I will personally take your life!”

I slightly turned my body to portray the uncle’s cunning tone. Holding the fan like a sword, I made a gesture of charging at the imaginary Hamurin.

“Hmph! Futile!”

I effortlessly parried the imaginary sword and posed as if aiming for the neck.

“It can’t be! How could someone like you overpower me so easily! What trickery have you used!”

Usually, in the marketplace, I would move around a lot, but here, I restrained my movements to depict overpowering the enemy.

“Huh. To overpower so easily. Wasn’t the uncle the greatest warrior of the Ha Family?”

“Hamurin’s martial arts must have improved.”

“Hamurin must have reached this level after grueling training.”

No, not really.

It was just because there were many martial artists here.

The marketplace audience was pleased with fancy swordplay, but here, they were experts. How laughable would my fan swordplay be to them?

Luckily, my intention worked.

Seemingly, overpowering with minimal movement appeared more convincing.

“Hamurin’s sword technique has reached the seventh level.”

“Impossible. The seventh level? No one in the Ha Family has ever reached that.”

“For my father’s revenge! For my filial piety towards my father! The hatred for you! These have led to my martial achievement!”

“Spare me. I’ll bury your stepmother’s corpse and quietly retreat into seclusion!”

“You should have decided that before you killed my father!”

I executed a motion of beheading in one swift strike. Turning my back to the audience, I wiped the imaginary blood off my fan in a finishing gesture.

It was the rule to kill in one strike and then show your back.

“Oh!”

“Finally, he has taken his revenge!”

“He got his revenge on his stepmother and uncle!”

“But now Hamurin’s life is in danger.”

“Hamurin is poisoned…”

“Surely, he doesn’t die in vain after taking his revenge?”

Yes, guests, you are right. Hamurin died too. The story of Hamurin was a tragedy.

“Ugh! To die like this, poisoned.”

I intentionally staggered and knelt on one knee.

“No!! Why die after avenging your father!!”

“Alas! Such a sad story on a festive day!”

The audience began to sigh. A few of the female guests were on the verge of crying. Their makeup was getting ruined.

Some invited guests couldn’t bear to watch the story anymore and covered their eyes.

But this story didn’t end in tragedy.

A paid subscriber said it was too much to show a tragedy on a festive occasion and offered more money to change it to a comedy.

“I must use the Beokdokju (避毒珠), a relic of my father.”

I feigned using Beokdokju, a fictional all-cure poison antidote from martial arts novels.

“Ah. The Ha family head’s relic included a Beokdokju.”

“That makes sense. How could it end in tragedy? If it had, I would’ve kicked the storyteller’s cheek!”

“Ha-ha! That’s an exaggeration!”

“No joke.”

“…….”

Hearing that, I broke out in a cold sweat for a moment. It was a good thing I changed the ending.

“Ugh. The poison has been neutralized. I have achieved my revenge. I reached the seventh level of Ha’s sword technique before turning thirty. Oh heavens! Dear departed father! Please watch over me from above! The Ha Family will now rise as the greatest house in Joseon!”

I finished the story with my hands raised, looking up at the sky.

“Wow! That was interesting!”

“Much more engaging than the acrobatic troupe!”

“The stories from Joseon are really fascinating!”

I received a round of applause from the guests as I left the stage. I thought I had acted quite well. This is why being in good condition matters.

As I came off the stage, a servant from the Gapsu Trading Company greeted me.

“I’ve never seen a storyteller who tells stories as well as you!”

The servant excitedly patted my shoulder.

“Ha-ha. You flatter me.”

“Not at all! We’ve invited many storytellers to Gapsu Trading Company banquets, but I’ve never seen anyone tell stories as tastefully as you!”

“Thank you.”

I think I performed well today. It was a performance with all my heart.

“Here’s a money pouch with your compensation.”

I received the money pouch from the servant. Oh wow, it’s a lot. This was about a month’s earnings from the marketplace.

“The head of Gapsu Trading Company was very satisfied! There’s a special table (酒案床) prepared for the performers in the small banquet hall. You can eat and drink to your heart’s content and stay another day.”

“I’ll enjoy it, thank you.”

Now that there’s nothing to worry about, I might as well celebrate and have a good time.