The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel-Chapter 147: Temporary Closure - 1

I let out a sigh of relief—but this is only the beginning.

Now that the issue of Storm of the Tang Clan and the Poisoned One has been exposed to the Sichuan Tang Clan, it’s inevitable that I’ll be heading to the Tang Clan itself. If I’m going to charge into the tiger’s den and survive in that mess, I’ll need to be thoroughly prepared.

“Even the Pavilion Guard members must be made to believe I’m the Tang Clan Head’s illegitimate son.”

Rather than storming the tiger’s den shouting empty words, it’d be far more fitting for °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° a tiger cub to return home carried in a flower palanquin, flanked by other tigers escorting him.

I’m not yet at the point of shouting, “I’m inheriting the clan head’s position, Father,” while hurling the Tang Clan Head off a cliff as the black-haired tiger, but since I’ve decided to play the role of the tiger cub, I need to commit and prepare down to the last detail.

“They won’t believe me right away.”

That the same black-haired barbarian brat the Pavilion Head had just been throttling turns out to be the Tang Clan Head’s illegitimate son—and his only (biological) child at that.

It would be just as absurd as discovering that a high-tech vigilante hero is actually a clout-chasing entrepreneur screaming “We’re going to Mars!”

Even if Dang-Pae, who listened to my story to the end, does a good job explaining things, it’s still just something he heard. Not proof.

“I’ve got a way to make them believe. The problem is timing.”

I need to buy just enough time for all the Pavilion Guard members to start thinking of me as the Clan Head’s illegitimate son—but not so much time that suspicion starts to take root. I have to strike at the perfect moment and crush those seeds of doubt before they sprout.

“And I’ll have to create that timing.”

I’m not about to sit around and wait for the situation to fall into my lap.

Let’s start laying the groundwork now.

-----------

“They’re coming down.”

As I was the first to descend the attic stairs, the Pavilion Guard members waiting on the second floor called to each other.

“Dangerous. There’s still one more move left.”

Those stationed on the second floor were probably the Pavilion Head’s most trusted men. He might suddenly order them to capture us using his closest allies.

“Pavilion Head.”

I called to him as he was coming down the stairs, not giving him a chance to think of any funny ideas.

“......”

He stopped mid-step on the attic stairs, staring at me with a look that said, What kind of silver-tongued bullshit is this brat about to try now?

Hey, that’s harsh. Don’t make it so obvious you’re annoyed.

Though, yes—I am about to use my tongue.

“It's been revealed that Tang Geo-ho violated clan law and experimented on Poisoned Ones. Are you really going to keep that hidden just because he’s a direct blood relative?”

I quickly channeled the Soyoon Mental Resonance Technique so my voice would carry not just to the second floor—but the first as well.

A little insurance. I’m saying it to the Pavilion Head, but I’m not really saying it just to him.

Creating Poisoned Ones is a major crime in the Sichuan Tang Clan. Even just covering it up or excusing it is a serious offense.

If the Pavilion Head gives the order to subdue me here, I’ll make it look like he’s defending someone who violated the clan’s taboos.

“What nonsense is this?”

Just as I expected, one of the Pavilion Guards stepped forward at my rudeness—then froze mid-step. I’d already accused Tang Geo-ho earlier, but now that I’d confirmed it as fact, it must’ve hit him harder.

I continued without missing a beat.

“Even as we speak, Tang Geo-ho could be on his way to Yichang. I don’t know how many men he’s bringing, but I doubt he’s coming alone to take Hwa-rin back.”

I looked at the Pavilion Head, then slowly swept my gaze over the astonished Pavilion Guards.

A silent message to the Pavilion Head: If you stay quiet, your men might end up dead.

“You didn’t have to say it. I was going to bring it up myself.”

The Pavilion Head finally came down the attic stairs and looked out over his subordinates.

“I hope all of you will put Hwa-rin’s safety first.”

I said this as a suggestion, almost like asking the Pavilion Head shouldn’t the people downstairs hear this too? At the same time, I made sure the first-floor listeners also knew that Tang Geo-ho broke a taboo and is after Tang Hwa-rin, who was a test subject.

You all heard that, right? Now if the Pavilion Head tries to take me down, you better stop him for me.

“I already said I’d protect her.”

“Funny how people change after going into the latrine.”

“So barbarians change their tune just from taking a dump, but those of the righteous sects should understand the weight of their words.”

Wow. What a shining example of righteous orthodoxy.

A racist and a model sect member. This must be what it felt like when people found out that a civil rights activist secretly kept Black slaves at home.

“Everyone, downstairs. Now.”

“Yes, sir!”

With one command from the Pavilion Head, all the guards on the second floor started heading down.

“So the tongue’s not the only thing sharp as a dagger.”

Ah, he figured out what I was up to.

As his subordinates moved downstairs, the Pavilion Head shot me a cold remark.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Click.”

I refused to concede a single word, and the Pavilion Head clicked his tongue in frustration.

“Hwa-rin. Go ahead and head down first. Start greeting the others.”

“Huh? Oh... okay.”

Hwa-rin still seemed dazed from the whole “illegitimate son” bombshell, nodding blankly as she descended.

“And where do you think you’re going?”

“You martial artists might be fine in weather like this, but me? Once the sun sets, I need a coat just to function. I’m just grabbing one real quick.”

I turned toward the attic to retrieve my coat.

“I’ll wait.”

No. You need to go downstairs so I can set the stage.

“There’s only one way down anyway. And besides—you’ve got something you need to say to the folks waiting below, don’t you?”

Translation: I’m not escaping. Go downstairs and introduce Hwa-rin for me.

“...Fine. I’ll wait downstairs.”

The Pavilion Head gave me one last glance before heading for the stairs.

“Huh?”

I subtly bumped into Vice Pavilion Head Dang-Pae to get his attention, then silently jerked my chin toward the attic.

You’re not going anywhere. Follow me. freeweɓnøvel.com

He hesitated, glancing between the Pavilion Head heading down and me heading up—then followed after me.

Seriously? You’re supposed to be my loyal dog. And you’re hesitating?

Clearly still not properly trained.

Once we get up there, I’m feeding you some heartfelt “Double Mix Harem Kibble” and turning you into a tail-wagging mutt who shouts “Woof-yeah!” every time I toss a bone.

-----------

“What is it?”

Dang-Pae entered the attic, looking confused.

“Dang-Pae. You’re going to spread the word—quickly—that I’m the Tang Clan Head’s illegitimate son and the one who wrote Storm of the Tang Clan under the pen name Ho-pil. No need to explain every detail. Just say, ‘That black-haired guy Ho-pil is the Clan Head’s bastard. He pulled out proof in the attic, but the Pavilion Head didn’t want to believe it because of the hair. I’m convinced it’s true.’ That’s all.”

“But... since it’s tied to a secret affair, I can’t go spreading it so carelessly.”

“The Lecher is a secret affair. A Clan Head having an illegitimate child with a courtesan isn’t.”

Illegitimate kids between men and courtesans are common. Sure, the wife might slap him, but it’s not some deep scandal.

“But...”

Dang-Pae looked away, hesitating. So you’re reluctant because it involves the Lecher? This isn’t the time to be squeamish.

“No buts. Do you not realize you’re isolated right now?”

I draped the coat over my shoulders and spoke firmly.

“Isolated? What do you mean?”

“The Pavilion Head wanted to snatch my Remembrance Ring and pretend I’m not the Clan Head’s son—but you openly defied him and stopped that. If he hasn’t given up, he’ll try again. And if that happens, you’re going down with me. Understand?”

I jabbed his shoulder with a finger to make sure the message got through: it’s not just my life on the line anymore.

“Y-You’re right.”

Only then did Dang-Pae’s eyes go wide with realization.

“Dang-Pae. Why are you hesitating? You already switched ships—my ship. What’s the first thing someone should do when they board a new vessel?”

“...Row?”

“Sigh. Why would you row? You’re supposed to be recruiting rowers.”

You’re not some oarsman. You’re the navigator. I gave him a disappointed look—then lifted him up with a few words.

“You mean... gather allies?”

“Exactly. Now you get it. Once the entire Pavilion knows who I really am, even the Pavilion Head won’t dare mess with me. And find someone who’ll join me quickly—someone you trust.”

“I’ll do my best to make it happen fast.”

“Good. Dang-Pae. Let’s do our best. Now that we’ve set sail, we’ve got to make it to the destination, right? And once we do—how do you think I’ll treat the very first man who boarded my ship? Huh?”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“......”

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. And in Dang-Pae’s eyes, I caught a flicker of ambition.

Good. You didn’t choose me on a whim, did you? That makes you easier to handle. I opened my mouth, ready to dangle the most enticing bait I had for this mutt who needed to become my loyal hound.

“When that day comes, you’ll be the closest confidant to the Deputy Clan Head. Aren’t you sick of sniffing around medicine? What do you want to be? Internal Hall Master? Deputy Clan Head’s Right Hand?”

“...I’ve got branch family blood, so Internal Hall Master’s probably out of reach... but I’d like to try becoming the External Hall Master.”

If the Internal Hall Master manages the residence where the main family lives, then the External Hall Master oversees the clan’s martial forces.

Ambitious, aren’t you? Good. That’s the kind of fire I like to work with.

“Exactly! That’s the spirit I’m looking for. I’m going to suggest we all go out to eat in a bit. Have the Pavilion Guard eaten yet?”

“They came in a rush, so I don’t think they’ve had a proper meal.”

“Perfect. I’ll say we’re going to a restaurant and then drag things out. You go ahead, bring some people, grab a table, and say exactly what I told you to say. You can do that, right?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Great. Let’s do this, External Hall Master Dang-Pae.”

“Understood!”

When I called him External Hall Master and patted his shoulder, Dang-Pae lowered his head with a grin, like he could already see his future.

Raising a loyal dog like this really isn’t so hard.

----------

Food isn’t just served in guest inns.

“Welcome to Gukhwaru! Do you have a party with you?”

A Sichuan-style restaurant in Yichang. Just as planned, I’d stalled for time, and the Pavilion Head and a few of his men arrived late to Gukhwaru.

“Is the Daseogak manager really...?”

“Honestly, it kind of makes sense.”

As I entered the restaurant, I could hear Pavilion Guard members murmuring while looking my way. Seemed like Dang-Pae was doing his job just fine.

“Hwa-rin, did you order yet?”

I sat beside her, who’d been waiting in advance, and asked. The Pavilion Head, looking less than pleased, took the seat across from me.

“Not yet. The others haven’t either.”

“You should’ve ordered already. This place serves nearly every Sichuan dish you can think of. Let’s order something tasty.”

I handed the menu to the Pavilion Head across the table.

“My treat. Everyone, order whatever you want.”

Holding the menu, the Pavilion Head raised his voice to his men.

“Seriously?”

“Man, we’ve been running here on nothing but dry rations... finally some real food.”

“It might not be quite as authentic as Sichuan itself, but having Sichuan food outside of Sichuan is a special experience too, right?”

“What would you like to eat?”

The shopkeeper approached the Pavilion Head, clearly recognizing him as the leader of our group and ready to take his order.

I wonder what the Pavilion Head’s food preferences are. Then again, this is a Sichuan restaurant—he’s not about to order carbonara, right?

After scanning the menu with a serious face, the Pavilion Head finally spoke:

“I’ll have the Sichuan-style Black Bean Noodles.”

“....”

Pulling off this level of frostbite without ice? Just from that one line, the other guards looking at the menu all went stiff.

“At Gukhwaru, we have mala soup, fish-fragrant pork, kung pao chicken, stir-fried green pepper pork... even exclusive dishes beloved by Sichuan nobility!”

Even in front of martial artists, this shopkeeper subtly upsold pricier dishes like a true pro.

But the Pavilion Head wasn’t someone to be swayed so easily.

“I said, Sichuan-style Black Bean Noodles.”

“Well then! We also have a combo with sweet and sour pork—”

“Just the noodles.”

“Y-Yes, sir! One bowl of Sichuan-style Black Bean Noodles! And for the rest of you?”

“Don’t mind me. Everyone, order whatever you want.”

No one looked like they were taking his generous tone at face value.

“I’ll have the same.”

“Same here.”

In the end, aside from our group, every order was unified.

“Let’s just order what we want. Hwa-rin, don’t overthink it like you do at breakfast and lunch. Get whatever looks good.”

I wasn’t about to back down in this petty power play with the Pavilion Head.

“Ugh... F-Fine! I’m not overthinking! ...Hey, shopkeeper. Do you have anything that’s not too greasy?”

“Worried about calories? Then may I recommend our house special—Fantasy Mapo Tofu?”

“Fantasy Mapo Tofu?”

“Yes. It’s made without meat, but it tastes like it has meat. A legendary dish created by a master chef known across all of Sichuan. No one from the region doesn’t know his name.”

“Alright, I’ll take that then.”

“Yes, ma’am. And for you, Manager Kang?”

“I...”

He’s paying, so I want something expensive. But nothing’s really calling to me...

“We recently got new equipment, so we’re also offering the legendary Crispy Rice Soup. Would you like to try it?”

“Not a fan of Crispy Rice Soup.”

Nice to look at, sure, but not really my thing. As I hesitated, a shadow loomed beside me.

“I’ll take the Sichuan-style Black Bean Noodles.”

Dang-Pae sat next to me and placed his order. Sitting next to me? Could it be...?

I raised the menu to block the Pavilion Head’s view of my face from across the table and turned to look at Dang-Pae. Had he done it?

He gave a slight nod.

So he told everyone. That was faster than I expected.

I thought it’d take a day or two at least... maybe his ambition sped things up.

I kept the menu up to hide my face and scanned the room. The Pavilion Guard members—whether obviously or discreetly—were all staring at me.

A bit earlier than planned. But with everyone gathered like this...

The atmosphere was more shocked than suspicious. All eyes were on me. The perfect peak moment of interest.

Now. Time to use that method.