The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

It all started with the third-generation disciples.

Life as a disciple of the Wudang Sect was arduous.

They rose at dawn to begin the day with Qigong exercises. After Qigong, they engaged in cultivation and training throughout the day.

Young disciples, new to the Wudang Sect, often found themselves too exhausted to even hold chopsticks at dinner.

The pride of the Nine Sects and One Union. The male-dominated Wudang. Becoming a disciple of this sect was not easy.

Therefore, the little sleep they got was precious to the third-generation disciples.

Would anyone dare disturb their sleep? Even the revered Wudang ancestor would face their wrath.

But then, Cheongsong, who had borrowed ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’ from Cheongun, caused trouble. He shouted in the middle of the night, waking up the other disciples.

“Darn it, who is it?”

“What’s happening?”

“Sorry! Just a nightmare.”

Cursed Yunhyeon. No, magnificent Yunhyeon. To boldly challenge the ringleader to a duel.

Originally, Cheongsong had intended to read only a bit of ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’ before sleeping. But he couldn’t sleep without finishing the duel scene.

How could he not cheer at such a cool use of the afterimage technique?

Despite being new to the Wudang Sect, his heart raced at the thrilling scene, and he couldn’t help but cheer.

“It wasn’t that. It sounded like cheering.”

“Was that guy reading a book?”

“Hey! Cheongsong screamed while reading erotic fiction!”

“Shut up! Let’s go back to sleep!”

As the dormitory of teenage third-generation disciples got noisy, Cheongsong realized the situation was getting out of hand. Everyone was tired, so they eventually went back to sleep, but the real problem came the next day.

“What were you reading yesterday?”

The next day, Cheongsong faced an inquisition. What should he say? Should he admit it was erotic fiction or erotic art?

Of course, it was a common secret that outside the sect, everyone read erotic novels or looked at erotic art. But admitting to bringing such material into the Wudang Sect was a different matter.

If any of the sleep-deprived third-generation disciples snitched, he would be in serious trouble.

“I screamed because the novel Brother Cheongun lent me was so interesting.”

Eventually, Cheongsong decided to confess honestly. Cheongun was a model disciple, well-regarded among the third generation.

Among the teenage disciples, the adult Cheongun was an object of respect. If he invoked Cheongun’s name, perhaps the situation would resolve more smoothly.

“A book Brother Cheongun lent you was interesting? Just admit you were reading erotic fiction. It would be more believable.”

One of the disciples looked at Cheongsong with pity. Oops. Cheongsong had forgotten that while Cheongun was respected, his taste in books was not.

“No, really! I’ve never seen a novel like this before!”

Cheongsong showed ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’, which he had hidden, to the other disciples.

“The Tale of Martial Heroes? Doesn’t look like erotic fiction.”

“Wow, look at this trashy book. Where did Brother Cheongun even find this?”

“Really, you screamed because Brother Cheongun’s book was that interesting?”

The third-generation disciples started to murmur among themselves.

“If you don’t believe me, I’ll finish reading this book today and then lend it to someone. It’s truly amazing!”

Cheongsong was convinced that anyone who read it would have the same reaction as him.

“It looks boring…”

“Has Cheongsong’s taste in books become weird after spending time with Brother Cheongun?”

Most of the third-generation disciples were skeptical about ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’, which Cheongun had found interesting.

But in the monotonous life of a Wudang Sect disciple, some were searching for a new thrill.

“Fine. After you’re done, I’ll give it a read.”

One of the disciples raised his hand.

“Me next!”

“If the first two say it’s interesting, I’ll read it too.”

“Don’t waste your time on nothing.”

“Just reading it seems to invite sleep.”

Some third-generation disciples hesitated, but several began reserving their turn to read ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’.

“No, I should return it after lending it to one person… Oh, never mind. I’ll lend it to everyone.”

Cheongun had read it a lot anyway. It should be fine. Cheongsong quickly changed his mind as he noticed the changing expressions of the disciples.

“And Cheongsong!”

“Yeah?”

“You’re cleaning the latrines alone today.”

“… Alright, got it.”

He guessed he had to accept the punishment. At least it was not for a week. Cheongsong agreed reluctantly.

Thus, ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’ began circulating among the third-generation disciples.

That night.

“Wow!”

“Hey! Is it Cheongsong again tonight?”

“No! I finished it at lunch!”

“Who was it!”

“Sorry! I’ll clean the latrines alone tomorrow!”

The next night.

“Wowww!!”

“Stop reading books in the middle of the night!”

“Three days of this nonsense!”

The third night.

“Wow!” “This is insane!” “It’s so cool! Quick, the next chapter!”

“Now three are reading the book together.”

“How interesting is ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’ for them to do this?”

The third-generation disciples, moving from resignation to curiosity, started wondering about the nightly shouts.

As ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’ spread among the third-generation disciples, a strange atmosphere formed.

After completing their daily cultivation and entering free study time, they usually meditated or read Taoist scriptures. But now, they were discussing a different topic.

“What could be the identity of the maiden Yunhyeon met at the end?”

“Maybe the daughter of a wealthy family since she was being chased by villains?”

“No way. Would a mere rich man’s daughter be chased by such powerful martial artists? Impossible.”

“How about a young lady from a martial arts family?”

“That makes more sense.”

The third-generation disciples spent their time discussing the plot of ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’.

“I haven’t read ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’ yet, so stop talking about it here!”

“Who told you to be late~”

The disciples who had already read ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’ teased those who hadn’t.

“You guys who screamed in the night! Why aren’t you finishing it quickly!”

Not reading was a loss. They might become future Taoist masters, but they were still young men sensitive to trends.

The other disciples who hadn’t read ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’ yet shouted at those scribbling something in a corner.

“We’re diligently copying it too.”

“Right! We’re copying it with utmost care and dedication.”

In one corner, the sleeves of other third-generation disciples were stained with ink.

Upon closer inspection, ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’ was being copied onto paper meant for copying scriptures.

“There are only three copies of the transcription. Hurry up and copy more.”

“Then come and help us copy!”

“I can’t get immersed if I copy and read at the same time.”

“Uh… we who screamed in the night are the culprits. Culprits.”

The disciples urging for faster transcription made the copying disciples work even harder.

“What on earth are you all doing!!!”

The second-generation disciples of the Wudang Sect, who had come to supervise the third-generation disciples, shouted upon seeing this chaotic scene.

“Teacher!”

This was serious. They needed to hide the book. All the third-generation disciples holding ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’ thought the same. They hastily hid the book in their own ways. But the second-generation disciples were not so easily fooled.

“What are you hiding!”

“Were you looking at erotic art instead of studying the scriptures?”

“Hand it over!”

The second-generation disciples quickly seized the copies of ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’ that the third-generation disciples had hidden.

“‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’? Doesn’t seem like erotic fiction. Just a storybook?”

“……”

The third-generation disciples, knowing that whoever spoke up would face severe reprimand, kept silent.

“Reading such distracting books (雜書) that hinder training, we will confiscate all these books!”

“Your minds have been distracted by such frivolous literature. Everyone, to the training field now!”

“Understood!”

The third-generation disciples rushed to the training field.

“The future of Wudang is indeed bright—so bright.”

One of the second-generation disciples sighed as he watched the younger disciples depart.

“What is this book that so many copies are found among the third-generation disciples?”

“Just some trivial book. Let’s burn it later.”

“Hmm… I need to check it out first. I’ll burn it this evening.”

“You have too much free time on your hands. Yes, we’ll burn it later.”

Nobody could have foreseen the ripple effect that the decision of one second-generation disciple would have.

A few days later, at the training field where the second-generation disciples of the Wudang Sect gathered.

“That’s not how the Bagua Sword Technique should start!”

One of the second-generation disciples, drawing his sword, demonstrated as he spoke.

The second-generation disciples had also succumbed to the allure of ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’.

Oblivious to their earlier scolding of the third-generation disciples, they now began discussing the plot of ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’.

“The Wudang sword is based on flexible strength. You can’t just swing it randomly.”

“The sword technique seeks diversity. It must be adaptable.”

The third-generation disciples consisted of teenagers and young adults, while the second-generation disciples were transitioning into middle age. Engrossed in the book, they began discussing the Bagua Sword Technique featured in the story.

“Tsk tsk. You haven’t read ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’ properly. This is why you can’t argue with someone who has only read it once…”

“What! Did I say something wrong?”

“It’s a technique that starts with Wudang’s Taiji and seeks diversity. Should you be moving so clumsily?”

“The fifth-generation grandmaster created it for the common folk. Of course, you should draw first to subdue villains! When will you have time to react to each enemy?”

“My friend, I didn’t expect this from you… I need to show you my understanding of the Bagua Sword Technique!”

“Come on! I’ll show you with my Bagua Sword Technique!”

A month later, the grandmaster of Wudang noticed the unsettled atmosphere in the sect.

“What in the world is this!”

The current Wudang grandmaster, Taoist Hyun Cheon, exploded with anger in the Heavenly Palace before the elders.

“A mere trivial book (雜書) is disrupting the training of the great Wudang!”

To think that Wudang’s Taoist practitioners were gossiping over a trivial book instead of discussing the Tao was lamentable for the leader of Wudang.

At Taoist Hyun Cheon’s outburst, the Wudang elders remained silent. By now, there were hardly any disciples in Wudang who hadn’t read ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’.

“Calling it a trivial book (雜書) is a bit harsh.”

One of the elders, who had secretly read ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’ borrowed from a disciple, spoke up in defense against the grandmaster.

“Because of such a book, all the disciples have become lax lately! The Wudang disciples, who should be setting an example, are neglecting the sword techniques they should be mastering and are instead talking about this nonsensical Bagua Sword Technique!”

“It’s not fanciful. Although there were no detailed descriptions of the sword techniques, what was written in the book was indeed Wudang swordsmanship.”

“Elder!! Are you defending the swordsmanship in that fanciful book? Have you been swayed by that trivial book (雜書)?”

“I’m saying it’s not a trivial book (雜書).”

“Even the elder is defending the book. The problem is that our disciples are reading such fanciful stories!! How can the disciples of Wudang indulge in such baseless tales!!”

“The book is not fanciful. In fact, after reading ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes,’ some disciples have been more diligent in their training. It’s certainly not a trivial book.”

“If it’s not a trivial book, then what, a remarkable book (奇書)?! Meeting a demon on great Mount Wudang and then falling off a cliff to discover the corpse of the previous grandmaster. Where in the world is such nonsense believable!!”

“How do you, grandmaster, happen to know so much about it?”

“……”

As the elders looked at him with suspicion, the grandmaster awkwardly coughed and continued.

“Anyway!! Confiscate all the trivial books in Wudang!! Educate the disciples who talk about that book. Any disciple who continues discussing the book will be sent to the punishment hall!!”

The grandmaster bellowed and intimidated the elders.

Some elders were displeased with the grandmaster’s edict but could not openly challenge his authority.

“This is serious!!!!!!!!!!”

Suddenly, one of the second-generation disciples burst into the meeting in the palace, throwing the door wide open. It was a disrespectful gesture, but his urgent expression prompted the grandmaster to ask for an explanation.

“What’s the matter? Has a demon appeared?”

What could be so urgent that someone would burst in unannounced?

Could it be the appearance of a demon or perhaps a public enemy of the martial world? Maybe an old monster from the evil sects or a lustful devil had emerged.

Or was there some dire calamity in the martial world?

Both the grandmaster and the elders hung on the second-generation disciple’s words.

“It’s not that!! The third-generation disciple Cheongun has discovered the corpse and secret manual of the 8th-generation grandmaster while exploring the cliffs of Mount Wudang!”

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