The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel-Chapter 155: Journey to Sichuan - 3

Tang Geo-ho stepped forward confidently, his expression that of a usurper who’d successfully pulled off a palace coup.

Meanwhile, the masked figures flanking him—who looked like they had far too much to hide—began quietly encircling us, like extras in a tokusatsu show whose voice lines had been patched out.

I wish their skills were also that of faceless extras. But judging from Tang Geo-ho’s smug face and the oppressive aura of the masked figures, they were clearly no small fry.

‘So they were aiming for attrition.’

No wonder the earlier chaos hadn’t caused any major losses.

The warriors of the Tang Clan are essentially cash-type martial artists. Their morale and confidence fluctuate with the amount of poison and throwing weapons in their arsenal—just like salarymen whose HP is their bank balance.

Judging by the sheer number of bandits thrown at us earlier, our people must’ve used up a ton of poison and hidden weapons.

‘So how many throwing knives do we have left?’

I glanced at the escort warriors to check—and, as expected, some were exchanging anxious glances between their nearly-empty weapon kits and the advancing masked men.

They should’ve been more careful with their resources. Just because it wasn’t coming out of their pockets...

One day, I really need to give these Tang Clan warriors a crash course in running a small sect—or small business, really.

That way, every time a fight breaks out, they’ll have enlightening exchanges like:

— "You used a premium-grade throwing knife in the last skirmish? Wouldn’t the cheap ones have worked just fine against mere bandits?"

— "Apologies, sir."

— "It’s alright. While you use the expensive ones, the rest of us will make do with recycled scraps. Let’s cheer you on, shall we? Come on, let’s bankrupt the entire sect."

Every martial organization needs such warm and frugal camaraderie.

While I was contemplating ways to implement a tension-inducing economy into the Tang Clan, Tang Geo-ho began slowly walking toward us.

“Hwa-rin. Have you been well?”

He spoke to Hwa-rin with the smile of a doting father—if the father were a serpent and the daughter a reluctant lab rat.

“Step back. How dare a criminal show himself so brazenly.”

“I simply came to greet some familiar faces. No need to be so cold.”

Does this guy not get it? No one here is happy to see you. His shamelessness is on par with that guy who shows up after three years of ghosting the group chat—only to hand out wedding invitations and say “So good to see you again!”

“And these masks... do people wear them even among friends now? I can already tell who some of them are just from their eyes. What’s with all the secrecy?”

Each time the Escort Captain’s gaze landed on one of the masked figures with visible violet hair, their shoulders flinched.

“Haha. They’re just shy types. But they came to support my cause. Don’t look at them so harshly.”

“You brought the whole sewer of your house just to hide your sins?”

What is this, the Poisoned Ones’ reunion party? Not all of them have violet hair, though...

“Sins? And what sins might those be?”

Plenty. Let’s see—child abuse, fraud, attempted assassination, illegal poison possession, banned human experimentation... I’ve got a whole scroll’s worth.

“Your shamelessness knows no bounds.”

Even the Escort Captain couldn’t hold back, glaring at Tang Geo-ho with undisguised hostility. But Tang Geo-ho just sneered back.

“Did Hwa-rin die from my experiments? No. She’s nearly complete. Only one more step remains, and she’ll be ready to stand before the clan as a perfected Poisoned One. Let me pass.”

What a lunatic. What is she, a thesis project he left in the lab?

“I always suspected your snake-like heart, but now you’re not even trying to hide your evil.”

“Enough talk. Hwa-rin, you must’ve suffered under such joyless company. Come with me, and I’ll help you become a true Poisoned One.”

Having decided he’d heard enough from the Escort Captain, Tang Geo-ho turned to Hwa-rin with an affectionate smile.

“Screw you, you lying bastard.”

Atta girl. Hwa-rin shot him a look of pure disgust, and for a moment, Tang Geo-ho actually looked stunned.

“Haha... your mouth has gotten sharp since I last saw you.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

She’s always been like that, actually.

“Shut up. Quit your revolting mask act. It makes me want to puke.”

“To think you’d misunderstand my sincere care so deeply. How heartbreaking. That man must’ve seduced you with sweet lies. But Hwa-rin, no matter what he’s said, you’re already a half-Poisoned One. If you return to the clan like this, they’ll dissect you to study your body.”

“Bullshit. He promised to protect me.”

“You think the Escort Captain’s a big deal? The monsters in the clan will be dying to cut you open.”

“Child, don’t be deceived by the serpent’s tongue. I will protect you in the name of the Tang Clan.”

The Escort Captain stepped forward, shielding Hwa-rin from view as he spoke with resolve. freēwēbnovel.com

“Hwa-rin. Didn’t I promise? Once you’re complete, the Tang Clan will acknowledge you as a legitimate heir. No—you will be the Tang Clan.”

“Don’t listen to him.”

“Wasn’t planning to. Tang Geo-ho. How can anyone believe a damn word from a lying bastard like you?”

Exactly. You can’t trust a man whose every sentence is laced with venom and manipulation.

Actually, let’s clarify. If someone opens their mouth and nothing but harmful lies come out—that’s who you can’t trust.

“Tch... Escort Captain. Hand Hwa-rin over quietly. If you do, I’ll withdraw peacefully and take the completed child back to the Tang Clan.”

Seeing Hwa-rin wasn’t so easily swayed, Tang Geo-ho shifted tactics and tried negotiating with the Escort Captain.

“You brought outsiders and expect me to trust your words?”

“The situation got complicated, so I asked for help. But I am still a man of the Tang Clan. All this is for our clan. Please, stand down.”

What a pathetic excuse. Why do every single [N O V E L I G H T] one of these monsters always claim they did it for the greater good?

“For the Tang Clan? If the world finds out about the filth you’ve stirred up, all of the martial arts world will scorn us! And you dare speak of our clan with that rotten mouth?!”

Tang Geo-ho winced like someone hearing their least favorite teacher scold them again.

“‘The world will scorn you. The clan must walk the righteous path.’ Aren’t you tired of saying that crap? Why should we—masters of Sichuan—cower under anyone else’s judgment?”

“What?!”

“Why should we care what those stuck-up orthodox fools think? They wag their tails when they need our poisons and weapons, but spit on us as soon as peace returns. Aren’t you sick of it?”

“It’s the duty of those in the orthodox path to endure such things.”

“Why should we endure it? Once we complete the Poisoned Ones, we won’t need to anymore. The Tang Clan will become the strongest house in the world—answerable to no one.”

“The strongest house in the world? You’re delusional!”

“I never asked for your understanding. Escort Captain, make your decision. If you hand over Hwa-rin, no more blood needs to be spilled today.”

Give me Hwa-rin if you don’t want to die.

The Escort Captain’s eyes flicked from his subordinates to Hwa-rin... then finally landed on me.

He was trying to hide it, but his eyes betrayed him. They wavered—clearly conflicted.

Wait. Is he hesitating... because of me?

So after all that doubt about me being an illegitimate son, now you’re starting to believe it?

We don’t know the full extent of the enemy’s strength.

We’ve got multiple wounded, we’re low on weapons and poison...

One wrong move and it’s a massacre.

Do you risk everything to protect Hwa-rin? Or gamble on a bastard who might be the Clan Head’s secret heir?

That’s probably what he’s weighing now.

But the Escort Captain is missing one thing.

Hwa-rin’s Poisoned One transformation is going to fail.

Even with her body enhanced by my Fate-Reverser ability, she’s not stable. The marks on her skin are proof.

If she goes back, she’ll still end up with the same tragic ending as the original story—just at a different speed.

Also... I’m not the Clan Head’s son.

He’s misjudging the scale entirely.

“Escort Captain! For the sake of our clan, bow your head today. Do this, and the world will bow to us as the strongest house!”

Tang Geo-ho pressed harder for a response.

If he takes Hwa-rin now, I’ll be left alone in the tiger’s den—and I’ll lose Hwa-rin, who could have become the true heroine.

That would be the worst possible ending for me.

What should I do now?

“Having the world bow doesn’t make you the strongest house.”

Of course I have to sever this option myself.