The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Chapter 43: The Black-Haired Duo Of Chilgok County (2)

Chapter 43: The Black-Haired Duo Of Chilgok County (2)

Here! Theres a barbarian murderer!

How had they found out?

I had been worried that someone might overhear us calling her Okbun in Chilgok County and report us to the Gapsu Trading Company.

But it seemed the trouble had started because Heavenly Death Star had acted suspiciously at the inn the day before. I never thought someone would peg her as the Gapsu Trading Company assassin.

Here! Its this woman!

The bald, fat man pointed us out to the martial artists at the inns entrance.

What should I do now?

I glanced at the Heavenly Death Star. Her eyes, usually as sharp as knives, had reverted to their customary blankness.

I could tell she was prepared to demonstrate her deadly skills, likely reaching under the table for a concealed weapon.

This was dangerous.

Ill handle this. Dont draw your sword.

I stopped at the Heavenly Death Star in the Joseon language.

How?

Are you wearing Okbuns face from the acrobatics troupe now?

There was no time for an elaborate explanation. Just the facts.

No. A different face.

That was a bit of a relief.

But the situation remained dire.

A woman with black hair and red eyes was a distinctive feature of the Heavenly Death Star in this world.

Then its fine. Dont draw your sword. I dont want to see my sister shed blood. I will take care of this, no matter what.

Bloodshed here would cause complications.

I wasnt certain of her current mindset, but one thing was clear.

Years from now, she would become a woman consumed by the thrill of murder.

I didnt know the events that would lead to such a transformation.

I had to rely on the martial arts knowledge and context I possessed. And one known characteristic of the Heavenly Death Star from the novels was that once she began killing, she was unable to stop.

The Heavenly Death Star shedding blood now might set off a ticking bomb.

If I were a martial arts master, the bombs detonation wouldnt concern me, but I was only as strong as the average person.

What are these fools yammering about? Get over here!

I ignored the fat mans babble and looked at her.

She was wondering how I could possibly resolve the situation.

Trust me,

I said confidently.

The Heavenly Death Star might have been able to restrain her murderous intent. I might not have died right away, but the aftermath was the problem.

If she escaped safely, it would end for her, but as a normal person, I would undoubtedly be caught if I tried to flee and would likely suffer punishment in her stead.

I didnt want that.

Is it these people?

The Gapsu Trading Companys martial artists crowded around us, their oppressive presence felt as we were surrounded by a group with swords.

Good day. I am Kang Yun-ho, a storyteller from Joseon. What seems to be the issue?

I stood up and greeted them as if I hadnt heard their accusations of murder.

A storyteller? Ah! The one from the head of the trading companys 60th birthday celebration.

Yes, I believe I have seen the warriors here and there.

I hadnt seen the warriors closely, but their faces seemed familiar.

Yes, I have seen you a few times as well. Thats why Im more disappointed now.

The warrior looked at me sharply.

Disappointed?

Repaying kindness with enmity is one thing, but to be in cahoots with the assassin who murdered our head!

The leader of the warriors drew his sword, aiming it at my neck.

It seemed I was having a knife at my throat too often these days.

It wasnt that I was startled by the knife; it was just ridiculous. Was it common in the martial arts world for civilians to have knives at their throats, or was it just my bad luck?

It would have been less frustrating if I at least had pulled out a sword and been overpowered, but having a knife at my throat even when I was doing nothing felt unjust. It made me want to learn martial arts.

Glancing at the Heavenly Death Star, I noticed her hand stealthily moving under the table again.

Ill handle this, so please stay still.

I said this loud enough for her to hear, while looking at the warrior.

What are you saying?

The warrior, not understanding the Joseon language, pointed the knife even closer to my neck.

Public opinion was not on the side of the foreigners.

But if I could get the innkeeper on my side, I might be able to swing public opinion in my favor.

Lets give it a try.

I took a deep breath, preparing to speak loudly as if addressing a crowd.

I am the person who stayed there for several days, mourning, and even received a gift from the chief mourner! And you say Im with the assassin? Even the assassin who should have fled after killing the head of the trading company is still in Chilgok County? Does that make any sense to you?

I shouted loudly, causing a stir in the inn.

Why are you suddenly shouting?

Because its unfair! I met my younger sister from my hometown for the first time in a long while. She was terrified because she cant speak the Central Plains language. I almost got killed by an assassin, and now you warriors are accusing me of being in cahoots with them! Its just too much!

Dont cause a scene and break things! What are you doing, capturing an innocent man? Hey! You guys, stop this!

The innkeeper, having heard my reasoning, quickly intervened to calm the situation. It was the innkeeper who would suffer losses if the inns items were damaged.

Whoa. Gapsu Trading Company is capturing an innocent person.

Hey! That storyteller has only been working in Chilgok County for a few days; how could he be in league with an assassin?

Gapsu Trading Company is trying to frame an innocent man in the midst of mourning!

Encouraged by the innkeeper, the regular customers of the inn started to jeer in unison.

Well, thats true. Ha! Fine. Your words make sense, so lets go to Gapsu Trading Company together. I wont draw my sword and will take you there.

The leader of the warriors, startled by the sudden shift in public opinion, attempted to negotiate with me.

He drew his sword when it was advantageous and now he was trying to negotiate when it was not.

Are we criminals? Take us there. Just leave one of you here and send someone to bring a member from the acrobatics troupe. You can see if they resemble the assassin.

The Heavenly Death Stars skill in disguise and bone shrinking was at an incredible level, even for a martial arts novel aficionado like me.

It seemed like a level that only a legendary thief, referred to as the treasure goblin in martial arts novels, could match. However, if we were taken to Gapsu Trading Company for interrogation, our true identities might be revealed. This is when one needs to be assertive.

Cough. Alright! Then lets do that.

The leader of the warriors agreed and instructed one of the warriors to go to Gapsu Trading Company.

No! Why would this friend be on the same side as the assassin? We drank together last night; theres been a misunderstanding. This woman is not Okbun.

The one called was the acrobat uncle I had shared a drink with the night before. He looked haggard from being interrogated about the assassination but still actively defended me.

It seems there was a misunderstanding. Lets leave it at that.

Eventually, thinking it was a misunderstanding, the leader of the warriors gave a stern look to the bald, pot-bellied man who had reported us and left.

No, its not. Please take care.

I did not show any sign of relief at having overcome the crisis and saw them off at the inns door.

They left without apologizing. Despicable martial artists.

After seeing off the warriors, I sighed in relief and went up to the second floor with the Heavenly Death Star.

Tiring. I just wanted to rest in bed once I got into the guest room.

Arriving at the door of the guest room, the Heavenly Death Star, who was ahead, turned back to look at me.

Why did you help me?

The Heavenly Death Star looked up at me with an expressionless face.

If you mess up, its all over.

Why? Sohee, your older brother had to step in when his younger sister was in danger.

I didnt need your help. I can handle those guys.

Of course. If the Heavenly Death Star was a tiger, those guys wouldnt even be rabbits.

The problem was, even if a tiger fought a rabbit, the bugs nearby would get trampled to death.

Sohee, I dont know how youve lived until now. But I cant just stand by and watch my sister try to commit murder right before my eyes.

Rather, you could have gotten hurt.

If I get a little hurt to stop you from committing murder, Ill do it every time.

A small scratch was worth preventing an explosion.

The Heavenly Death Stars eyes flickered slightly upon hearing my words.

Why? Frustrated that Ill keep preventing you from killing?

Suddenly, the Heavenly Death Star bowed her head in front of me and mumbled something.

Tha

Huh?

nk you.

Thank you? I didnt like the sound of that either.

Bang! Cheon Sohee said her piece and went into the guest room.

What the?

Hey! Why lock the door?

I was the one who paid double for this room; why were you locking it!

I needed to go in! You just leave!

I wanted to rest too!