The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel-Chapter 152: Temporary Closure - 6

Having a backup plan for any situation is crucial.

Just because I can play the part of the tiger cub doesn’t mean I should assume everything will go smoothly. I have to imagine the worst-case scenario and prepare the best path through it.

What if I get found out? What happens if they realize I’m not really the tiger cub? Is there any way I can make it out of that alive? What can I do to survive and come back?

This is my one and only life on the line. No amount of preparation or scheming is too much.

So what can a black-haired barbarian like me possibly use? After much thought, the answer I arrived at... was to leverage my fame in Yichang.

“Why is there a crowd here?”

A passerby asked, pointing at the people swarming around Daseogak.

“Something about Ho-pil’s writing being at stake.”

“Wait, is Volume 3 finally being released?”

“No, it’s worse! There’s talk of cancelling the serialization! Those bastards from the Sichuan Tang Clan are saying Storm of the Tang Clan is a problem and are here to drag the author off!”

“What?! What could they possibly have a problem with?!”

“My point exactly. Now Manager Kang is about to be taken in because of it!”

“Why Manager Kang?!”

“They say he’s protecting someone Daseogak is sheltering—someone he calls a kindred spirit. He volunteered to go in their place!”

“He’d go up against those scary martial artists?! I thought he was all about money, but turns out he’s got honor!”

“Ho-pil cried, knowing what might happen if he got taken. He said he’d stop writing until Manager Kang comes back!”

“H-he’s going on hiatus?!”

“Exactly. Daseogak is at risk of shutting down! Ho-pil’s gone silent! How could the Daseohoe stay quiet in this situation?!”

“Those damn bastards! You pieces of shit! Have you no shame?!”

“Sichuan Tang Clan should be giving them an award, not dragging them off!”

“I can’t accept Storm of the Tang Clan getting canceled! No way!”

The crowd kept growing around Daseogak as news of the serialization’s suspension spread.

“This was your doing, wasn’t it?”

The Vice Pavilion Head glanced around at the mob before narrowing his eyes at me.

“Someone must’ve seen Tang Clan people blocking the shop yesterday. And since there isn’t a soul in Yichang who doesn’t know Storm of the Tang Clan, word spread fast.”

Did he think I’d sit still and do nothing? I shrugged with a shameless smile.

I started with Ho-pil’s official statement, then tipped off the Daseohoe readers, asking them to come surround Daseogak when the Tang Clan returned.

...Though I didn’t expect this big a turnout.

“Make way! The Chair of the Yichang Literary Society is passing through!”

As the Tang Clan warriors looked on, uncertain what to do with the swelling crowd, an elderly scholar emerged.

“Who might you be?”

The Vice Pavilion Head questioned the man who seemed to be leading the crowd.

“Hoho. Just a man who leads those in Yichang who love literature.”

The Chair of the Yichang Literary Society stroked his beard and stared calmly back at the Vice Pavilion Head.

“Wait—he’s the Chair?! Isn’t he a former scholar of the Hanlin Academy?!”

“I heard he retired and rarely appears in public. I can’t believe he came here!”

A Hanlin Academy scholar... That’s the emperor’s advisory institution and the imperial publishing bureau. When I begged the Daseohoe to find someone who could speak up against the Tang Clan, I didn’t expect someone this high-level to show up.

“...Tch.”

Even the Vice Pavilion Head seemed rattled. He recognized that this man was too high a mountain to challenge.

“Even the emperor doesn’t stifle free speech. And yet, a noble clan like the Sichuan Tang dares commit such an act?”

“The well water does not intrude upon the river. It is a family matter.”

A fancy way of saying “this is none of your business.” The Vice Pavilion Head was warning them to stay out of Tang Clan affairs.

“Hahaha... That’s the very phrase I wanted to bury back when I still held office. So now when the well reaches into the river, everything just turns into well water, does it?”

The Chair looked over at me after facing the Vice Pavilion Head, implying that oppressing civilians had never been part of martial tradition.

“He’s just a black-haired barbarian.”

He really won’t acknowledge me as one of their own.

“He’s no barbarian. He’s a young man of Yichang. A man who knows honor.” freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

“That’s right! He’s been faithfully paying dues to the Merchants’ Association!”

“Strict as he is, he always pays on time and treats suppliers fairly!”

Once the Chair defended me, even those who weren’t part of Daseohoe but knew me personally started backing me up.

I’m touched. Guess I didn’t run my business in Yichang half-heartedly. Though I did grease a few wheels here and there.

“We’re not taking him as a criminal. We simply wish to ask him a few questions.”

“It’s usually the ones with the most to hide who get questioned the most.”

“He’s being taken as a guest.”

“These days you drag guests away in rope and don’t even give them a horse? I heard you were planning to make him walk.”

The Vice Pavilion Head said nothing, but glared at me instead. What? Even if you’re not using ropes, you still planned to walk me out. I can’t even use light footwork—I want a horse or a carriage, damn it.

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

“And would you believe that?”

“...Ha. And if I don’t?”

The moment the Vice Pavilion Head let out a sliver of killing intent, the air around us turned icy. Martial artists are terrifying like that—even among a crowd, they can feel like a tiger among rabbits.

The Chair, unfazed by the pressure, held his ground. But if this went on any longer, something was bound to happen.

“Greetings. I’m humbled by your concern and honored by your presence.”

Perfect timing. I stepped forward with a smile.

“It’s only natural to step forward for the young man who brought fresh wind to Yichang,” the Chair said, looking at me with worried eyes.

“This entire incident... I believe it’s the result of overlapping misunderstandings. And misunderstandings, if left alone, only deepen. Before that happens, I intend to go to Sichuan myself.”

“That’s too dangerous. Stay here—I’ll make you my guest. I’ll give you a room.”

Becoming his guest meant receiving his official protection—under the name of a former Hanlin scholar. An immense offer.

“This concerns my close friend. Ho-pil’s words are my words. My words are Ho-pil’s. I want to handle this before misfortune befalls him.”

I struck my chest and made a determined expression.

“...Hoo. One is ready to risk his life for friendship. The other embraces the pain of parting with a soulmate. So be it.”

He turned to the Vice Pavilion Head.

“Will this suffice?”

“I have disciples in Sichuan’s capital. I’ll make sure they’re informed. And if he doesn’t return in time...”

The Chair’s gaze sharpened.

“...then I’ll make my moves outside Sichuan.”

Anywhere outside Sichuan meant the imperial capital.

“...That won’t happen.”

The Vice Pavilion Head stepped back slightly, clearly not wanting things to escalate that far.

“I hope not. And Manager Kang... I look forward to seeing you return and selling Volume 3 of Storm of the Tang Clan once again.”

He gave me a final look and turned to go.

I’d secured one line of defense.

If I get exposed as a fake cub, and they try to kill me, the image of the Hanlin scholar will surely flash through their minds.

I need a second failsafe.

What is the Tang Clan most afraid of? Why are they so desperate to hide the Lecher incident?

Public opinion. That’s it.

As a righteous clan walking a tightrope of honor, they’re obsessed with their reputation and sensitive to public backlash.

Even if my act as the cub fails, I need to keep them from swinging the sword too fast—force hesitation through pressure.

Time to create the situation they fear most.

I turned to the crowd of Daseohoe members and shouted:

“Everyone! I’m Kang Yun-ho, manager of Daseogak! Storm of the Tang Clan Volume 3 is here!”

I pulled the manuscript from my robes.

“Ooooooh!!”

“I was planning to release Volume 3 soon. But due to the current situation, I must postpone its publication.”

“WHYYYYYY?!”

“Just publish it before you go!”

“If I release it now, Ho-pil says he’ll never write again! So instead—we’ll temporarily close Daseogak! And once I return—I’ll release Volume 3! Please wait for me—and for Volume 3!”

“Ughhh... then... I guess we have no choice...”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“The Tang bastards! We’ll see this through till Manager Kang returns alive!”

“If Volume 3 doesn’t come out—we’re marching to burn down the Sichuan Tang Clan!!!”

“DAMN RIGHT!!!”

If Daseogak shuts down and the popularity of Storm of the Tang Clan fades, people might stop caring about what happened to the black-haired barbarian dragged off by the Tang Clan.

To prevent that, I brought out Volume 3.

The volume was already complete. But thanks to the Tang Clan, people couldn’t read it.

Even if the hype around Volume 2 died down, the hunger for Volume 3 would twist into resentment toward the Tang Clan. People would keep talking, keep gossiping.

At least until my life-or-death outcome was decided.

“You really just do whatever you want, don’t you?”

The Vice Pavilion Head, who had been watching the whole time, finally spoke.

“We live in a world where someone gets their neck wrung even though they didn’t do anything wrong—just for being a black-haired barbarian. If I don’t put out some kind of promise, who knows what might happen if Volume 3 doesn’t come out?”

“You won’t be able to publish it anyway.”

“That’s for me and the Clan Lord to discuss. It’s not your decision to make.”

I have no plans to end the series. I will publish Volume 3. One way or another.

“Not backing down at all, are you. Let’s see if you’re still so smug once we’re in Sichuan.”

“You planning to drag me away now?”

I glanced at the crowd of Daseohoe members that hadn’t dispersed. Surely not—he wouldn’t, right?

“Tch. I’ll give you one more day. Get yourself a carriage.”

The Vice Pavilion Head clicked his tongue and vanished into the crowd with a glare, visibly displeased.

--------

The next day, we made time to visit the Chief Steward.

“I heard the rumors. If you leave the bonds here, I’ll handle the debts for now.”

He was the same man who had tried to settle the debts even when Hwa-rin’s grandfather passed away, and again when her mother ran away.

There was no one more trustworthy to handle things while we traveled to Sichuan.

“Thank you.”

“When a debtor is absent for an extended period, it’s not just the money—they suffer credit damage too. You’ll need to return as soon as possible.”

“I’ll do my best.”

I’ve made decent money up to this point, but not enough to survive a long journey comfortably. I need to resolve this Tang Clan matter before funds run out or creditors come knocking.

“I’d love to send you off with a drink, but I suppose the situation doesn’t allow it.”

“Let’s drink when I return. The liquor you gave Hwa-rin last time was excellent.”

“...Wait. You drank that?”

The Chief Steward looked shocked and turned to Hwa-rin, who lowered her head like a guilty child and averted her gaze. He sighed in disappointment.

Wait—was I not supposed to drink that?!

“Haha. It was so good, I’d love to drink it again. I’ll bring you two bottles next time.”

Well, it’s already in my stomach. All I can do now is repay the favor properly.

“Phew... It is good liquor. My wife, back when we were young—she once made me drink it while teasing me with that coy smile... that girl who never looked like a woman before suddenly...”

“Haha...”

We shared a few stories and laughter with the Chief Steward, then left his residence.

-------

“Debts are settled, paperwork is done, all the letters sent out. I guess that’s everything.”

Since I didn’t procrastinate, everything was wrapped up quickly—fast enough that we could leave °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° right away.

“...Wasn’t this stuff supposed to be my responsibility, not yours? But how could I even...”

What’s with her today?

As I walked with Hwa-rin—who kept muttering cryptic lines—toward Daseogak, we ran into some members of Daseohoe heading in the opposite direction.

“Let me go!”

“Manager Kang! There you are.”

“Thanks again for yesterday. But, uh... why is that guy tied to a frame?”

The guy bound to a carrying frame looked familiar—one of the regular Daseohoe members.

“We’re dealing with a troublemaker.”

“...Excuse me?”

“Right after you gave us hope with Volume 3, this guy starts spewing crap about how we’ve been used.”

“Haha...”

“He’s saying: ‘It’s just two volumes! Why all this fuss? Ho-pil’s ghosted us because he couldn’t figure out the next part, and that Kang guy’s just milking us for money before he runs off.’ That kind of nonsense.”

“That’s rough...”

Like I knew someone was going to threaten me with a sword to stop writing. I wanted to release Volume 3, damn it.

“To not understand the great vision of Author Ho-pil! We of the Daseohoe cannot tolerate such heresy!”

One member pointed angrily at the man in the frame.

“Let him go. Please. I really don’t want people getting hurt over a novel.”

Reader arguments turning into murder cases? That’d get the local magistrate involved, and Storm of the Tang Clan would be forcibly canceled for disturbing public morals. I’m not letting that happen.

“We’d never bring shame to Ho-pil’s name. No one’s getting hurt.”

“Haha. Then I’m relieved.”

“But... this troublemaker isn’t a person.”

“...Ah.”

“Just kidding! I’m joking!”

The Daseohoe member clapped me on the back and laughed when my face stiffened.

“I trust you’ll handle it sensibly.”

“Don’t worry! We’ll turn this troublemaker into a true believer! Let’s go, everyone!”

“Let me go! You can’t punish me for speaking the truth!”

“This fool still doesn’t get it! We already know water’s the answer, so let’s start with that!”

“Just keep going straight and you’ll hit the Yangtze River! Let’s move out!”

Please... let nothing go wrong.

--------

The day of departure came.

“This should be good enough, right?”

“Yeah.”

Hwa-rin and I stared somberly at the placard posted outside Daseogak.

[Daseogak – Temporary Closure] – Away on business with the Sichuan Tang Clan.

“Get in the carriage.”

At the Vice Pavilion Head’s words, we turned and climbed aboard.

Will I make it back?

I’d done all I could to prepare.

Now it was time to see whether I’d return as a tiger cub... or as a broken man.

Let’s go.

To the Sichuan Tang Clan.