The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel-Chapter 218: New Employee - 4

“You used a pen name instead of your real name? Hurry up and correct that—use your real name.”

Yichang Literary Society. The House of Sangwanak.

I’d told the Tang Clan folks I had business to attend to, and for the past few days, I’d been monitoring whether the new writers were submitting their entries properly.

“I’ll get a new cover.”

“You don’t lose points for a dirty cover. Don’t worry about it—just hand it in. Next! The name here doesn’t match the one on the ID. What’s the relationship?”

“He’s my servant.”

“What kind of nonsense—why didn’t the writer show up in person? You’re going to have a servant receive the award too? Submissions must be made by the author themselves. Go fetch him. Now!”

“Y-Yes, sir! I’ll go right away!”

Trying to skate through the process, huh? What, you think the rules are just for show?

“Store Manager Kang, is it really alright for you to be doing these menial tasks?”

As I continued organizing the submitted works, a member of the Literary Society approached and asked.

“I’m not supposed to look at the entries until the final judging, so I’m just killing time while getting a sense of the writers’ character.”

“What are you noting down when people come in to submit?”

“I’m just checking to make sure the personal information matches what they submitted earlier.”

Also, I’ve got my own uses for it.

I cross-checked everything against the records I got from Scholar Hwang’s brother and jotted down additional notes I needed.

“Must be a hassle, but you’re being incredibly thorough. Anyway, looks like no more people are submitting today.”

I glanced around at the now-empty surroundings, then looked up at the sky.

The sun was finishing its day’s work, already rushing to clock out.

“There’s still one person left.”

I spoke with a note of regret, thinking of the woman who still hadn’t arrived.

Seriously, isn’t this sun getting off a little early?

Plenty of workers haven’t even wrapped up yet, and there you are, ducking out the back stairs like you’re avoiding your boss.

I could hear the ghost of a middle manager begging, Please, just don’t call during my break.

The sun was now descending the steps in a hurry, vanishing like Mr. Kang from accounting who disappears the second the clock hits six, leaving only the top of his head in view.

“We said the deadline was sundown, and the sun’s almost set. Anyone who was going to come has probably come. Care to join us at the brothel later?”

“She’ll come.”

Despite the man’s words, I kept my eyes on the gate and continued to wait.

How long had I waited?

While enduring chatter about the new courtesan’s dancing skills—and how she kept locking eyes with the guy mid-performance, so maybe she liked him (ugh)—I finally saw a silhouette in the distance.

“I’m not late, am I?! Kang Yun-ho?! What are you doing here?”

Im Ha-yeon darted up to the front in an instant.

Damn. She’s fast. Her qinggong is no joke. That blur of pink almost looked like a streak of light.

“Just barely made it. Hand it over.”

I reached out my hand.

“Wha?!”

She clutched her manuscript like it was a diary full of embarrassing delusions that she absolutely couldn’t let the school bully get their hands on.

You submitting it or not?

“Haha! So this is the lady you were waiting for all this time instead of calling it a day.”

“...You were waiting?”

Im Ha-yeon stared at me with wide eyes.

“I just didn’t want to see someone who worked hard miss their shot by a hair. Now hand it over.”

I said it coolly, extending my hand again.

“...Here.”

“Since we’re done for the day, shall we head off to the brothel?”

The Literary Society guy shouted like some middle manager giddily announcing the start of after-work drinks.

You had to say it like that?

Even Im Ha-yeon shot him a quick glare filled with subtle but definite disgust.

“It’s already dark. A woman shouldn’t be walking the streets alone at night—I’ll escort her.”

“What?!”

She looked up at me as if I were speaking absolute nonsense.

“Come on.”

What, you got a problem with me walking you home?

I have something to check, you know.

Not gonna follow?

I’m one of the judges in the contest you’re submitting to.

Eventually, when I stepped out the gate, she quietly followed behind.

-----------

“Was it really okay not to go with them?”

She asked, breaking the silence.

Maybe walking without talking was too awkward for her.

“I don’t find brothels that entertaining.”

Drinking with a bunch of guys I barely know? Might as well call it a company dinner. No thanks.

“Do you know how hard the courtesans work to make it fun? How can you say that?”

Weird hill to die on.

She pouted and gave me a half-annoyed look.

“Did you put your all into the writing?”

I let out a soft chuckle and changed the subject.

“Ugh... I skipped meals and sleep to finish it.”

“Haha. I can tell.”

I gave her a quick once-over.

Skin looked dull, hair a total mess—just roughly tied up, like a bird’s nest with visible oil.

“Wha—?! Do I look weird or something?”

Only now realizing how she looked, she froze, jaw dropping.

“The dumplings smell good. Shopkeeper! Can you wrap some up for takeaway?”

Time to dodge that question. I walked toward a nearby dumpling shop, steam rising from the pots.

“Ugh! Seriously?! My hair!”

She frantically started fixing the disaster atop her head.

“Here. Take this.”

“Ugh... Don’t stare so hard. What is it now...”

Still looking away in embarrassment, she peeked up at what I was handing her.

“You probably haven’t eaten. Go have this.”

If I want to catch this fish, I need to bait the hook first.

I offered her the dumplings with a voice laced in concern.

“......”

“There’s kimchi dumplings too.”

“...Give it here.”

She gently took the paper-wrapped dumplings from my hand.

“That’s as far as my kindness goes. The judging will be fair.”

Now that the bait’s in the water, it’s time to see how the fish reacts.

Does she bite at all? Does she want nothing to do with me? Is she only nibbling because she’s hungry? Or... does she have other motives?

This is goodwill toward the daughter of my sworn brother.

But it has nothing to do with judging.

I looked at her calmly and laid it out.

Alright. Let’s see how you respond.

“D-Don’t be so heartless about it!”

And with that, she snatched the dumplings and bolted off.

Damn, she’s fast. Not even a patrolman could catch her at that speed.

I smiled slightly in the direction she vanished.

You couldn’t bring yourself to ask for help—but you do want to be a writer, huh?

Alright. Good.

I can work with that.

I turned and headed back toward the chairman’s residence.

“Did things not go well with the young lady you left with earlier?”

When I arrived at the gate, members of the Literary Society were still gathered there, including the guy from earlier.

“Haha. She wouldn’t let me inside her place.”

“Care to join us at the brothel after all? No beauties like her, but the performers there are quite skilled.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I have business with the chairman again.”

“May I ask what kind?”

“I have a proposal related to the Society’s event.”

The bait has been tested.

Now it’s time to start building the trap.

-----------

The awards ceremony hosted by the Literary Society was nothing short of grand.

Not just in the scale of the event itself, but in the sheer quality of the guests.

Sangwanak, the chairman of the Literary Society, was a former high-ranking scholar-official of the Hanlin Academy. It was only natural that local dignitaries, officials, and prominent figures would flock to any event he organized.

“Assistant Minister Heo! This young man is Kang Yun-ho, manager of Daseogak.”

“I am Kang Yun-ho of Daseogak. It’s an honor.”

Connections are everything.

Back in the day, a "black-haired barbarian" like me would have been chased away with, 'Are you here to beg for scraps at a noble gathering?'

But now, invited as a judge, I could boldly show my face and build new connections.

“So you’re the famous Store Manager Kang who discovered the writer Ho-pil! I’ve heard much about Daseogak.”

“And I’ve heard much of the Assistant Minister’s benevolence. For someone of your stature to show interest even in a small bookstore like mine—clearly, the rumors don’t do you justice!”

“Haha! Never trust rumors, indeed! Hahaha!”

Ah, flattery works wonders.

The Assistant Minister smiled so wide his eyes nearly disappeared.

“With your sharp mind, I’m sure you could sniff out any hidden talent at a glance!”

“I read Storm of the Tang Clan too! We need more novels like that!”

“I’ll do my best to bring more works like it to Yichang.”

Of course, most of them will be written under Ho-pil’s name.

After shaking hands and plastering on my best business smile for everyone important, I finally sat down, # Nоvеlight # hiding my fatigue as best as I could.

Had she arrived yet?

I scanned the seats, looking for a certain face.

No sign of the pink twin-tails.

Surely she wasn’t going to be late again today?

“U-Um... is this seat taken?”

Just as I was debating whether to start searching the wine cellars for her, a voice called out.

“She’s pretty! Hey, did you sign up for the new writers’ contest too? Come sit here!”

Looks like she made it in time today, at least.

-----

“Now that all participants are seated, we’ll begin the ceremony.”

“First, a few words from Hanlin Academy Scholar and Chairman of the Yichang Literary Society, Sangwanak.”

Ahem. “Esteemed literati of Hubei Province, and honored guests gathered here on this auspicious occasion—it brings me great joy to see all your faces here today. The sages of old have said... thus... everyone must remember...”

He’s like a school principal giving a commencement speech.

Well, he was a Hanlin scholar, so technically he was a teacher.

Time itself seemed to freeze.

I decided to turn off my brain until he finished.

“You there! Who’s the one bowing their head and playing with dirt while I’m speaking?”

Sangwanak, at least, wasn’t the type to drone on obliviously like a third-rate principal.

“S-Sorry!”

One of the gathered writers cried out in panic.

Oh crap. I was doodling in the dirt too.

I hastily rubbed out the little butterfly I'd been drawing with my shoe.

“I was going to wrap it up, but seeing that, I suppose I should say a few more words. ‘Youth fades easily, and learning is difficult. Not even an inch of time should be wasted...’”

Dear God, please have mercy.

------

“We will now begin the awards presentation. Store Manager Kang Yun-ho of Daseogak will present the Encouragement Award.”

Already my turn?

Well, I had insisted on being a presenter, but I wasn’t important enough to hand out the top awards.

“Really? Store Manager Kang Yun-ho is giving out awards?”

“Who’s that?”

“Haven’t you heard? The Literary Society invited the manager of Daseogak as an external judge.”

“An outsider judging and presenting? Must mean he’s seriously recognized.”

“Exactly. Must have real ability.”

“First, as a member of Yichang, I would like to express my gratitude to the Literary Society and to all the distinguished literati for granting me this honor.”

After a formal greeting designed to leave a good impression, I pulled out the list of winners.

“This year’s Literary Society New Writers Contest Encouragement Award goes to...”

I glanced subtly at Im Ha-yeon.

She sat with her hands clasped together, looking up at me with the desperate hope of a student awaiting exam results.

“Yu Seong-jin!”

“YES!”

Well... sorry.

It’s not you.

At the announcement, Im Ha-yeon’s face fell, and she lowered her head in bitter disappointment.

And unfortunately for her, she wouldn’t be lifting it again.

“Next, the Bronze Award goes to...”

“The Gold Award goes to...”

“And finally, the Grand Prize winner is...”

Im Ha-yeon’s name wasn’t on any of those lists.

-----

Why had Im Ha-yeon refused my help before?

A runaway courtesan.

A thief who didn't even steal.

Someone who couldn’t even afford proper meals.

Why reject the helping hand of a sworn brother’s disciple?

Was it because she hated her father that much?

No.

It was because she still had hope.

No matter how hard life gets, as long as there’s hope, you can still cling to your pride.

So where do I start?

— Regarding Lady Im Ha-yeon... I can push her through the second round of evaluation, but she won't make it to the final stage. Should I...

— Please handle it fairly. How could I stain an honorable seat with personal greed?

How can I make her accept my help?

How can I make her work at Daseogak?

Simple. It has to start once she loses her last hope.