The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel-Chapter 139: Uninvited Guest - 6

The road from Yichang to Chengdu in Sichuan Province.

At an inn along the way, a group of martial artists with purple hair were unloading their luggage.

The other guests didn’t show it on their faces, but it wasn’t difficult to guess who they were. Even in a world filled with wildly colored hair, there was only one martial arts clan where everyone had purple hair.

The Sichuan Tang Clan.

Tension rippled quietly through the inn at the arrival of a family that could be called the overlords of Sichuan.

“See? I told you it was good.”

“You won’t regret it.”

Two members of the Sichuan Tang Clan, seemingly unfazed by the inn’s atmosphere, casually recommended something to another of their group.

From afar, the other guests watching the exchange assumed, as expected of the Tang Clan, they must be pushing some suspicious medicine amongst themselves.

But the reality was quite different.

“You’re seriously insisting I read a novel? After failing the mission we went all the way to Hubei for? Is this really the time to be reading?”

What the two Tang Clan members were recommending was none other than Storm of the Tang Clan, which they had picked up in Yichang.

“I used to think the same way.”

One of the pushy two was actually the same martial artist who had scolded their companions for stopping by Daseogak.

“What are you talking about?”

“Listen, it’s like this. We failed our mission. So what now? Gonna stay depressed forever? Sigh at the ground like it’ll collapse or glare at the sky like it'll fall? Nothing changes, does it?”

“Exactly. Now’s when you need a miracle drug authorized by the state—this novel!” fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

“You two lose your minds because you couldn’t find that medicine or something? You two barely get along on normal days, so why the perfect harmony all of a sudden?”

The Tang Clan man being recommended the book looked at the pair with clear disbelief.

“It’s because it’s the only book both of us actually enjoyed. That’s why.”

“What kind of book is it?”

“Storm of the Tang Clan! And the main character is actually from the Sichuan Tang Clan!”

The man holding the book lifted it triumphantly, showing off the cover to the other. But instead of being impressed, the man’s expression twisted the moment he saw the title.

“What kind of lunatic is using the Tang Clan’s name for this nonsense again?”

He refused the book immediately—not because he hated novels, but because he had never seen a novel portray the Tang Clan in a good light.

“Agh, come on! It’s not that kind of book! The protagonist here is a true Tang Clan man!”

“Isn’t that exactly what I just said?”

“No, no! You can’t say that too!”

“If you're asking me to join you in tracking down the author out of shared rage, I’ll help even without reading it. I’ve been in a foul mood, so I could use an example to make.”

The skeptical man eyed the book.

“You’re supposed to be righteous warriors! Talking like that is exactly why the common folk misunderstand the Tang Clan.”

“They crossed the line first. Why can’t we?”

“Could you say that in front of the Clan Lord?”

Their argument was cut short by a low, calm voice from a middle-aged man.

“Vice Chief!”

“Weren’t you resting?”

This man was the Vice Chief of the Medical Pavilion—the division of the Tang Clan responsible for medicine. He was currently in charge of the Tang martial artists returning to Chengdu.

The group bowed their heads in alarm at his sudden appearance.

“I heard a racket and came over, but I find myself entertained. So—if a soft-handed scholar crosses the line, what exactly were you planning to do?”

The Vice Chief narrowed his gaze at the martial artist who’d spoken harshly of Storm of the Tang Clan.

“That kind of novel spreads harmful misconceptions about the Tang Clan. If it’s offensive, I thought it might be necessary to make an example of the author.”

The martial artist avoided eye contact and mumbled excuses that held no water.

“And what did the Clan Lord say before we departed?”

“...That because there are many misconceptions and prejudices against the Tang Clan, we must always be careful in our conduct.”

As a righteous sect known for dealing in poison and throwing weapons, the Tang Clan was always under scrutiny, despite being recognized as part of the orthodox alliance.

“Exactly. The Clan Lord has worked tirelessly to change public perception—not through force, but through goodwill and acts of justice. Are you defying his orders now? Sounds like the person who needs to be made an example of... is you.”

“I—I’m sorry!”

The martial artist dropped to his knees, bowing deeply.

“So, what’s this book? Is it really so impressive that you’d recommend it even after failing your mission?”

The Vice Chief gave a long look at the kneeling man, then turned to the two who had nervously held up Storm of the Tang Clan.

“Ha-ha... well, Vice Chief, it’s just that...”

“It’s a wildly popular novel in Yichang called Storm of the Tang Clan! It doesn’t slander us at all—in fact, it clears up the misunderstandings and portrays our righteous spirit in a heroic light!”

Why had the guy who so boldly recommended the book gone mute now? Seeing him freeze like he’d taken a paralytic poison, the other martial artist quickly jumped in to defend the book.

“I’d never even heard of it in Hubei, yet you say it’s popular?”

“From what I learned, it’s only published at a single bookstore in Yichang. They can’t print copies fast enough, so it hasn’t spread outside the city yet.”

“Is that so?”

“If... if the book displeases you, I’ll destroy it and take the same punishment as my friend.”

Both martial artists bowed again, awaiting judgment.

“No need. If you two praise it so highly, there must be something to it. Actually, it’s perfect timing. Everyone’s feeling down—if it’s a book that praises the Tang Clan, pass it around.”

The Vice Chief smiled at the pair, lifting the heavy mood.

“Really?”

“Yes. Start with the one kneeling, then share it with the rest of the group.”

“Understood!”

“And you—once you’re done reading, write up your thoughts and give them to me. I’ll decide your punishment after I see what you write.”

“Th-thank you!”

With that final word, the Vice Chief disappeared back into his room.

-------

“The Most Beautiful Woman in Sichuan is the main wife? Just because she was the first girl he met? If that’s how it works, my childhood friend should’ve married me!”

“Sounds like your fault for taking the fish in the net for granted.”

“...It’s true, and I hate how true it is!”

“Tsk, tsk. They're arguing about nothing again.”

Peaceful as always at Daseogak. Scholar Hwang—the bookstore’s very first customer—looked at the members of the Daseohoe with exasperation and turned to me.

“It’s not nothing, sir. The Main Wife War might seem trivial, but it’s everything at the same time.”

Thanks to the customers who came to debate who deserved to be the main wife, Daseogak’s sales were booming once again today.

“Tsk. I get it. Still, that’s why it’s a pointless argument.”

“You understand it, and still call it pointless?”

“Because Tang Jeong’s real main wife isn’t the Most Beautiful Woman in Sichuan. Nor is it the Top Courtesan of Hubei. It’s someone else entirely.”

Ah, I get it now. Scholar Hwang is the type who doesn’t like the heroines who’ve already appeared—he pins his hopes on the next one.

“That’s a new take. Then who is your pick for main wife, Scholar Hwang?”

“Ahem. That’s a secret. But I’m absolutely sure.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Scholar Hwang averted his eyes, as if caught in something awkward. ...He’s not seriously trying to push the Lecher as the main wife, is he?

“Ha-ha. Scholar Hwang, you seem to really enjoy Storm of the Tang Clan. Why not join the Daseohoe?”

I said this as I took two steps back—out of respect for his... preferences.

“Talking with strangers... That’s not so easy, you know.”

“And yet here you are talking to me.”

“Manager Kang is not a stranger to this Son Hwang... ahem.”

Scholar Hwang turned away, flustered, as if I’d forced him to confess something shameful to a friend. Hey—since when are we friends?

“Haha! Still, it’s good to have more people to talk with about shared interests.”

“One true confidant is enough for me.”

Oh, so now our relationship’s been upgraded to true confidant, huh? Let me know if there’s a tournament for relationship rankings—I’ll enter when the time comes.

“Deep relationships are important, but a broa—”

“I have something very important to tell my true confidant, Manager Kang.”

Scholar Hwang suddenly cut me off and spoke with a serious expression.

“What is it?”

...Don’t tell me he wants me to stamp another coupon. I asked casually, not expecting much.

“Did you know that members of the Sichuan Tang Clan recently passed through ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) Yichang?”

Now that was something I hadn’t expected.

“Yes, I know.”

I’d broken into a cold sweat the moment that purple-haired guy showed up holding Storm of the Tang Clan.

“It’s rare for Tang Clan members to travel in groups outside of Sichuan, so I got curious and did a little digging. I came across a very interesting bit of news.”

“What kind of interesting news?”

“Ahem. Come closer.”

Scholar Hwang glanced around cautiously, then gestured for me to lean in.

I had no desire to feel another man’s breath on my ear, but my curiosity won. I leaned in—just enough to hear, but not close enough for contact.

“The Tang Clan’s only heir has fallen into critical condition while cultivating poison arts.”

“...He’s from a clan famous for poison, and he fell ill training in poison arts?”

That’s like a shark drowning while swimming.

“Apparently he was handling extreme poison and got poisoned himself. Or maybe he suffered qi deviation and lost consciousness. The details vary.”

“Come on, sounds like a wild rumor.”

“You think I’d share nonsense with my true confidant? Everyone who knows anything knows the Tang Clan even sent people to the Jegal Family for help. That alone proves it’s no small matter.”

“...They went to the Jegal Family?”

The master tacticians of the martial world—the Jegal Family.

They’re a prestigious clan descended from Zhuge Liang of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. If the Tang Clan dominates Sichuan, the Jegal Family dominates Hubei. Their fame is legendary.

No matter what martial arts novel you read, even if the alliance head changes from story to story, the strategist is always from the Jegal Family. They’re the cliché brainiacs of martial arts fiction—an unkillable trope.

I mean, sure, it’s weird that everyone descended from one military genius just automatically becomes a strategist—but in the martial world, if a Jegal isn’t a military mind, something feels off.

In this world too, the Jegal Family is unmatched in formations, medicine, and tactics.

If the Tang Clan went to them for help, things must be serious.

“The problem is... even the Jegal Family couldn’t offer a solution. With the heir on the brink of death, the atmosphere in the Tang Clan is bleak.”

“I see.”

“‘I see’—this isn’t something to end with that. You’re selling Storm of the Tang Clan at Daseogak, aren’t you? Imagine what happens if that book ends up in the wrong hands from the Tang Clan.”

Scholar Hwang spoke with concern.

“Ha-ha. It’s not like the book portrays the Tang Clan badly. Nothing to worry about.”

They even came in and praised it.

“I worry because I care. In times like this, even neutral words can seem offensive. What one person sees as fine, another might take as a personal slight. And martial artists? They draw their swords over those kinds of slights.”

“If I spent my life worrying like that, I’d never even eat. Still, thanks for the info.”

Not that I didn’t consider this before publishing... but the very same Tang Clan members he’s so worried about already read the book—and they loved it. So there’s no need to panic.

“...Is that so? Then, well...”

Scholar Hwang nodded slowly, then rummaged in his sleeve.

“You have something else to give me?”

More inside information on the Tang Clan? He pulled something out and handed it to me.

“In that case, could you stamp my coupon for the intel fee?”

So that’s what this was about.

*******

With the Vice Chief of the Medical Pavilion himself giving approval, it didn’t take long for Storm of the Tang Clan to spread among the Tang Clan entourage headed for Chengdu.

“What a masterpiece!”

“Just how good is it?!”

“Let me see too!”

“Tang Jeong is a true hero of this era!”

“Every Tang Clan member should read this at least once. No—in fact, when we get back home, I’m showing this to everyone in the main branch!”

Gathered in the inn’s dining hall, the Tang Clan members chatted animatedly over their meals.

“The Triple Poison Formation inside the Poisoned Killing Zone... Who even comes up with this stuff?”

“Rumor has it the author’s from the Tang Clan.”

“Really? Now that you say it... it does feel that way. So it was someone from a side branch trying to clear up misconceptions about the family, huh?”

“Even the Vice Chief seems to be reading it in his room now.”

One of them glanced toward the room the Vice Chief had entered while sipping tea.

“After hearing that guy rave about it while practically spitting everywhere, could you resist reading it?”

“...You really didn’t need to say the ‘spitting’ part.”

I never expected it to be this good. One of them flushed red, remembering how he’d been ready to “make an example” of the author, only to end up on his knees apologizing.

“I can already picture the Vice Chief coming out with a face full of admiration.”

“Or coming out looking like this idiot over here.”

“I’m telling him you said that.”

“Hey, come on! Think of all the drinks I bought you!”

“Ha-ha, just kidding.”

The Tang Clan members turned expectantly toward the Vice Chief’s room, eyes gleaming.

Eventually, after all the waiting and whispering, the door opened—and the Vice Chief stepped out.

“Vice Chief?”

“What is it...?”

But contrary to their expectations, his face wasn’t full of awe. Nor was it flushed with emotion. It was tight, serious—deeply grim.

“This book... You said you got it in Yichang?”

He walked over, holding up Storm of the Tang Clan.

“Yes, from a bookstore there called Daseogak.”

“If it’s popular, and only published at Daseogak, that must mean the author has an exclusive contract with them?”

The Vice Chief asked the one who had replied, face still rigid.

“Yes. I heard they signed a deal with a writer called Ho-pil for exclusive publication.”

“I see. Hoo...”

The Vice Chief closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath.

“Vice Chief? What is it?”

The one who had answered asked again, a little uneasy.

The Vice Chief didn’t reply right away. He swept his eyes over the group watching him closely, then spoke in a firm, resolved voice.

“...We’re going back to Yichang immediately.”