“Haaa…”
Yu Sa-yeon yawned widely, her dazed eyes surveying the Outcast Inn.
Ho Cheon-an, whom one would read as ‘Brain Knife Outcast’ but should actually be called a pesky troublemaker, had once taken care of Sacheon City’s leaders, yet the influx of the Outcast Faction Forces showed no sign of stopping in the flourishing city.
The overflowing stream of Outcasts showed no signs of dying down, and amidst the chaos of their clashes with the Righteous Faction, the Black Bandits kept popping up, ensuring the Sacheon Outcasts had an endless flow of work.
Now, the Sacheon Outcasts crowded the inn so much that it felt tight as they checked their requests and formed groups to venture out.
Smooth sailing indeed.
The Outcast Inn was rolling along quite nicely.
“Why do you look so down, Innkeeper?”
Yu Sa-yeon rolled her eyes at Seo I-ryeong, who approached her with concern. Seo I-ryeong, having grown remarkably tall, was now an admirable Outcast in her own right.
Though, one had to wonder about the oddity of her clutching three Seo Gong dolls in her arms.
Glancing at the trendy Seo Gong dolls, Yu Sa-yeon decided to buy one and spoke up.
“I’m bored.”
“Is that so? I heard you’ve been very busy with the revival of the Platinum Martial Arts Tournament recently.”
“Well, I’ve been meeting a lot of people…but it’s not exactly…”
Yu Sa-yeon’s position had changed entirely from before. Even though Ho Cheon-an was absent, it was widely believed that anyone who dared touch the Outcast Inn run by Yu Sa-yeon would be met with Ho Cheon-an’s wrath.
Even if the Brain Knife Outcast didn’t swoop in, the Outcasts residing at the Inn were far more powerful than before, having returned to push the boundaries of Peak Stage. With the elite Outcasts stationed around, who would dare dismiss Yu Sa-yeon?
As the days of the Sacheon Outcasts slumping in disgrace seemed long gone, Yu Sa-yeon now wielded influence with just her cunning in Sacheon City, making the recent external affairs feel as easy as pinching a child’s wrist.
“It’s nice that that troublemaker has left, but without any incidents to deal with since, it’s incredibly boring…”
Seo I-ryeong was taken aback by her mutterings.
No incidents, you say?
As soon as the new Sacheon Outcasts entered the Inn, there were power struggles with the existing ones, and after that, the treatment of intermediaries accepting requests caused the Inn to be turned upside down again.
And that’s not all.
The awareness in the Outcast Faction that the Outcasts of the Inn needed to be subdued in order to establish a firm footing in Sacheon city had led to yet another commotion.
If that’s not an incident, then what on earth counts as one?
Noticing the incredulous look Seo I-ryeong was giving her, Yu Sa-yeon chuckled.
“There were plenty of jobs, but how can I find any interest in actions that were predictable? Everyone lacks creativity.”
A person who can turn clothing into something utterly unexpected—that’s what Yu Sa-yeon thought of Ho Cheon-an.
Just as she lamented her boredom, a ruckus erupted outside. Yu Sa-yeon straightened her slouched posture and thought to herself, “What’s happening now? I hope it’s something entertaining.”
As she looked towards the entrance of the Inn with hope, a familiar guest caught her eye.
“Miss Tang Do-yeon?”
“It’s been a while, Innkeeper…”
Tang Do-yeon, completely slumped and looking ready to topple over, sighed and greeted her.
“Are you unwell? Should I call a physician?”
“No, no…I just feel heartbroken thinking about returning to the Tang Clan after wandering the great expanses of the world…”
“…”
Yu Sa-yeon was at a loss for words for a moment. Tang Do-yeon sighed deeply and pulled out a letter from her robe.
“This is a letter from Ho Cheon-an, the Great Hero.”
“…That guy?”
Yu Sa-yeon sighed regretfully. Her mouth had brought her this trouble. After admitting to being dreadfully bored and longing for the chaotic days when Ho Cheon-an stirred up trouble daily, she didn’t actually desire genuine entanglements like back then.
Straightening her back and assuming a tense posture, Tang Do-yeon gave a weak smile and spoke, “Hehe, I don’t think it’s quite what you’re expecting.”
“Is that so…”
“Yes. I delivered the letter, so I’ll be on my way now. Haaa…”
With that, Tang Do-yeon, looking defeated as ever, exited, and both Yu Sa-yeon and Seo I-ryeong’s gaze followed the letter from Ho Cheon-an.
Prompted by Seo I-ryeong’s curious expression, Yu Sa-yeon reluctantly and cautiously opened the letter and began to read.
Seo I-ryeong, unable to glimpse the contents of the letter addressed to Yu Sa-yeon, scrutinized Yu Sa-yeon’s face, which wore an expression both mystical and perplexed.
“What does the letter say?”
“…That guy is getting married. To five people, at the same time.”
[On such and such a day, at the rebuilt Yeo-ga Mountain Villa in Yunnan, I will be united in marriage with So Yeon-hwa, Yeo Il-ye, Princess Yuya, Dokgo I-seol, and Moyong Yeon-hwa. Therefore, I invite the esteemed Yu Sa-yeon, the Innkeeper of the Outcast Inn and a figure of significance in Sacheon City, to attend.
Ho Cheon-an.]
[PS: Any Sacheon Outcasts who wish to come along can join as well.]
What Yu Sa-yeon received was an invitation to a wedding.
*
I am Ho Cheon-an.
Though I was a hero renowned in the Martial World, I was broke without a home or money.
But that’s no longer the case.
After receiving the proceeds from the sale of donated official garments, my pockets are now bursting! And wait, there’s more! The rising star I’ve been eagerly waiting for, the Glorious Iron Workshop, has finally succeeded in developing a forging method.
Not only are my pockets full now, but even more is on the way!
So I took that momentum and bought a house.
To be more precise, I rebuilt the Yeo-ga Mountain Villa, which had burned down to its frame.
Rebuilding Yeo-ga Mountain Villa was a piece of cake. In Sacheon, having the title of Brain Knife Outcast means you can solve anything, and in Yunnan, with my influence and the influence of the Best Beauty in Yunnan, Dokgo I-seol, it was easier to count the things that wouldn’t work out.
With renowned craftsmen, countless workers, and necessary materials being supplied in no time at all, Yeo-ga Mountain Villa was regaining its former glory day by day.
I am Ho Cheon-an.
Now, I have a home, a reputation, some martial arts skills, a decent amount of money, successful investments, a pet entity, and I’m on my way to getting married! Truly a man who has it all!
So what am I doing as a successful man?
[I wish you endless prosperity at the Mutual Understanding Trading Company. We, the Mutual Understanding Trading Company, admire the renowned Brain Knife Outcast, Ho Cheon-an. If it isn’t too much trouble, could I humbly request a place at your wedding… ]
[Hearing that something glorious will be revealed under the blue sky, I send you this letter. If it’s not too much trouble, could you extend an invitation for your wedding…]
[The Calligraphy Guild had ties with the esteemed Hyeok Gi-rin. We would like to request that you grant us a seat at your wedding…]
I had morphed into a paper slave replying to the waves of letters coming in from various sects across the land in my office.
“Haaa…”
Why is it? I began writing replies the moment I finished morning training, yet the pile of letters on my desk isn’t getting smaller at all!
“Family Head, here’s today’s letters.”
“…Come in.”
Instead of diminishing, the mountain of paperwork only grew taller with the letters the servant left behind.
Is this what a successful life looks like?
I pressed my temples with throbbing pain and leaned back in my chair.
Honestly, it wasn’t that surprising for letters to come in from across the land.
Me? Hwa-gyeong Martial Artist. Hyeok Gi-rin? Hwa-gyeong Martial Artist. Black Cat? Hwa-gyeong Martial Artist.
At this point, if a clan or sect has even one Hwa-gyeong Martial Artist, they would be recognized by the Central Plains Recognition Association as a prominent sect or clan. But suddenly, a faction springs up with three Hwa-gyeong Martial Artists?
Of course, sects located in Sacheon or Yunnan would have to pay significant attention to it.
However, this reasoning alone doesn’t quite explain why every faction in the Martial World is eager to send me wedding invitations at this moment.
The real reason the factions throughout the Martial World fixate on my wedding is likely due to two factors.
The first reason is that I’m the Saint of the Heavenly Demon Sect.
Martial factions believe the Heavenly Demon Sect will eventually expand its influence into the Central Plains.
So, it’s reasonable that many factions in the Martial World are anticipating that when the Heavenly Demon Sect finally extends its reach to the Central Plains, it will be through me, Ho Cheon-an, the already established Saint.
Even factions that don’t intend to ally with the Heavenly Demon Sect might consider that it’s beneficial to build a rapport with me beforehand.
Thus, the influx of inquiries from those factions hoping to snag a piece of the action arising from my wedding.
That’s the first reason. The second reason is that my marriage to Hyeok Gi-rin has been finalized.
Are they really going to marry the current Emperor’s sister, Princess Yuya, off to a mere martial artist? Not to mention she’s one of five wives?
This union must certainly harbor the Emperor’s tremendous agenda! It wouldn’t be possible for this marriage to take place otherwise!
The exposure of Princess Yuya being Geum Myeong-wol and Hyeok Gi-rin is clearly part of a larger plan that’s unfolding.
I must uncover that secret!
Having those thoughts isn’t unusual.
Of course, the reality is completely different from their imaginations.
In the end, Yoo Gyeong forfeited any gains she could have acquired from her brother’s marriage for the sole purpose of ensuring Hyeok Gi-rin’s happiness.
Naturally, during the course of allowing the marriage, she imposed all kinds of conditions, demanding to live in the Imperial family or Nak-yang, threatening to transfer her allegiance if I didn’t agree, and so on, but she ultimately did grant permission.
Disclosure of such facts would simply lead to assumptions that our marriage is another political plot, and they wouldn’t buy into it lightly. They will assume it’s just another smoke screen.
Regardless, this fusion of misunderstandings and schemes has resulted in the sheer mountain of letters piling up before me.
“Ugh.”
I shook my head to dispel my thoughts and began composing a reply to the letter from the Guangdong Sect.
Since all invitations had already been sent to those worthy of invitations, the responses would all be rejections, but rejecting them requires a greater amount of etiquette.
In short, I had to acknowledge them, right? It’s not like I could just shove them away. I carefully formulated flowery language crafted from the information I had on the Guangdong Sect and wrapped my rejection of “I’m sorry” in a lengthy response.
After finally completing a single letter, a sigh escaped my lips yet again.
I wished someone would help me, but there’s no one who could right now.
The Black Cat was concerned someone might target my Mother-in-law during her journey to distant Yunnan, so she headed directly to Ak-yang.
Hyeok Gi-rin was still residing in Nangyang as Princess Yuya.
Dokgo I-seol had left to calm the bustling Yunnan following the rebuilding of the Yeo-ga Mountain Villa and my wedding.
And Moyong Yeon-hwa was equally busy as well. She belonged to the Moyong Clan, a significant power in the Martial World. Naturally, the connections she had accumulated thus far were countless, resulting in an onslaught of requests for invitations to her wedding.
Yeo Il-ye pledged to help me but I declined her offer. At such a key moment with the restoration of the Yeo-ga Mountain Villa, how could I possibly divert attention elsewhere?
Even if I had to send out replies to every letter with just “I’m sorry,” I couldn’t possibly leave a lingering sentiment within Yeo Il-ye’s heart.
With that determination, I scrawled a flurry of replies. Time slipped away as I wrote nearly twenty letters and suddenly halted at a familiar energy approaching me.
“Honorable Person, may I come in?”
It was Yeo Il-ye.
“Come in.”
By this time, it had already become a common occurrence for Yeo Il-ye to visit me at this hour. During the day, I would chase her off so she would spend time overseeing or managing the construction site, and then when the sun set and the workers headed home, she would come to find me.
Upon noticing the mountain of letters beside me, Yeo Il-ye’s face changed to one of concern.
“Why are there even more tasks piling up?”
“Too true. When will it ever come to an end?”
“Now that the construction has finally been put on track…”
“Hey, just focus on the restoration of the villa.”
I firmly dismissed Yeo Il-ye’s suggestion. She may not realize. Just how much life and vitality had returned to her face since the restoration of Yeo-ga Mountain Villa began.
Until now, I had always perceived Yeo Il-ye as someone with a dignified character that kept her distance from the chaos, but that opinion was blown out of the water when she actively participated in the restoration efforts.
I had thought her injuries from completing her vengeance would have healed, but it seems the situation was not so simple.
“…Thank you.”
I felt awkward at her heartfelt response and turned away to glance at the letters instead. Smiling back at me, Yeo Il-ye stood behind me, resting her hand on my shoulder.
What followed was a pleasant massage.
“You seem to be building up some fatigue.”
Normally, it would be impossible for a Hwa-gyeong Martial Artist to have aching shoulders, but I kept my mouth shut and relished Yeo Il-ye’s gentle touch. It was a rare opportunity to see this usually composed and mature side of her, coming closer so affectionately.
With the perfect pressure applied to my shoulders, the fatigue melted away. It felt like the overworked brain cells that had been pushed to the brink finally decided to take a break.
This is relaxation.
Staying cooped up all day and merely sending responses to letters had been quite a trial, but the comfort I felt now was satisfying enough to endure it. While I had wandered all over the world, receiving generous treatment as a guest, this warm feeling was entirely different.
Is this what people mean when they say, “home is home”?
While enjoying that feeling, I suddenly felt her hand slip off my shoulder. In disappointment, I looked back to find Yeo Il-ye smiling at me.
“Hehe, I would gladly massage your shoulders for life, but don’t we have work to do?”
Yeo Il-ye spoke this as she sat beside me, grasping a pile of letters to tackle. Indeed, I had work to do. I needed to act diligently to safeguard the calmness I felt amidst this storm of interest from the Martial World, and Yeo Il-ye’s vibrant spirit as well.
Time flew by,
And before I knew it, the date of the wedding had drawn near.
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