Chapter 226 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Title: "The Storms of the Tang Clan" Volume 3 Upon receiving permission from the Sichuan Tang Clan to publish the next volume of "The Storms of the Tang Clan," it was unfeasible to release it immediately upon arrival in Yichang. After all, I am simply Hopil, a humble barbarian scribe, not some prolific web novel author. Writer Hopil. Publisher Kang Yoon-ho. Distributor Daeseogak. I handle everything alone. Even if I wrote volume 3, I need to print it with a press and sell it through Daeseogak to generate profit. If only I could use the Shadow Clone Technique, it might have been possible. But I can't even shout, "What are you looking at? That's just my afterimage," like some illusionist. In the end, it was only after hiring staff for printing and re-establishing deals with suppliers for materials that I could finally begin printing. "What? 'The Storms of the Tang Clan' Volume 3 is being printed?" Im Ha-yeon widened her eyes in surprise and glanced alternately between the box I was holding and the direction of the printing room. She seemed ready to bolt. I had to stop her. "Either way, even if you go, Miss Ha-yeon, you won't be able to enter the printing room. I've instructed the staff to lock the doors from the inside and not let anyone in." Don't even think about stealing it. Instead of saying that directly, I warned her by explaining why I had to bring the box there. "There are ways around that, you know." "..." Oh, really? Im Ha-yeon gazed at the printing room with an intense look in her eyes, brimming with enthusiasm like a treasure hunter eyeing a legendary artifact. Indeed, she’s the future Invincible Martial Artist. If she wasn't threatening my bookstore, I'd be eager to ask her about her methods out of sheer curiosity. "No, that's not what I meant... H-hypothetically, someone else could do that!" Did she suddenly realize the implication of my silence? Im Ha-yeon stammered, flustered. If she thought I suspected her of stealing, it might upset her. Although this was a few days earlier than planned, it was time to proceed as I'd intended. "Well spoken. Because of 'The Storms of the Tang Clan,' I have a secret to share with you, Miss Ha-yeon." I led her to a secluded corner of Daeseogak. "What?" Im Ha-yeon was destined to become the next Invincible Martial Artist. However, there was no need to start the legend of the future Invincible Martial Artist from Daeseogak. If it had been an ordinary employee thief, they would have been jailed immediately and met their end at the execution grounds. But Im Ha-yeon is a character in a martial arts visual novel. Moreover, she is an S-tier talent as an employee of Daeseogak. Though she’s a troublesome, elusive thief, there are reasons to tame her. Im Ha-yeon has many roles to play as an employee of Daeseogak, and perhaps she could even be the true heroine. Therefore, I must ensure she neither robs my bookstore nor neglects her duties as my staff. Instead of being a rogue thief cat, Im Ha-yeon should be transformed into a finicky yet tame house cat. How should I go about this? 'I must put a bell on the cat.' I had already thought of a method. "From now on, what I’m about to say regarding 'The Storms of the Tang Clan' is for your ears only, Miss Ha-yeon." The beginning lies in forming a bond. Sharing secrets often strengthens the connection between two people. I maneuvered her into a more secluded corner of Daeseogak to create an atmosphere of confidentiality, then leaned closer to speak quietly. "Wh-what is it? Is there something wrong with Volume 3?" When I spoke in a grave tone about the novel she eagerly anticipated, Im Ha-yeon asked, looking worried. "Volume 3 of 'The Storms of the Tang Clan' is being printed in secrecy. Until we announce its release, it must be kept strictly confidential." The printing of Volume 3 began a few days ago. Despite instructions to keep it secret, there's no telling where a leak might occur. If news of Volume 3 reached her ears without my knowledge? She’d instantly go into her vigilant Invincible Martial Artist mode. Im Ha-yeon's fandom is no joke. Thus, I found it necessary to personally inform her of the ongoing printing of Volume 3 and ensure she remained controlled. "A secret? Why? Isn't it better to promote it in advance?" "Due to potential leaks." "Leaks?" "Have you heard about the unauthorized sale incident involving Volume 1?" "I've heard about it through the Hao Clan." "During the unauthorized sale incident of Volume 1, Daeseogak suffered severe losses, close to bankruptcy." "Now there’s no one bold enough to print 'The Storms of the Tang Clan' in Yichang, isn’t there?" True! But she missed one critical point. "'The Storms of the Tang Clan' is now popular far beyond Yichang." "Oh." Realizing a crucial fact, Im Ha-yeon's mouth slightly agape as she let out a small exclamation. She read 'The Storms of the Tang Clan' in Wusan. Though I could assert copyright in Yichang, other regions still remained vulnerable. "There’s no telling what someone blinded by greed might do." "That’s possible." "Daeseogak relies on the revenue from 'The Storms of the Tang Clan' to pay your salary and support working students. So, we need to be particularly cautious." Im Ha-yeon, the first bell I'm giving you is the bell of conscience. If a leak scandal erupts, all of us— you, me, and the working students— are finished. Understood? "..." Did the conscience bell ring true? Understanding the gravity of the situation, Im Ha-yeon displayed a serious expression. "Should a leak happen, monumental issues would arise." Now for the next point. Im Ha-yeon, you might still think that even if there’s a leak, no one else would publish it. "An even bigger problem? What could it be?" There's indeed a significant problem. I cornered her against the wall and took another step closer. Before speaking, I wore a pained expression, intending to convey that what I was about to say was too dreadful even to think about. With a deeply expressive face, I revealed the painful truth to her as if it was tormenting me to say it. "Hopil might… rise again." "Oh…." "Hopil the author is a sensitive person. He didn't write a single word until I returned, and he was so stressed that he lost weight." I didn't have time to write during my trip to the Sichuan Tang Clan, and the long journey had caused me to lose weight too. "What?! Is Hopil's health alright?" Im Ha-yeon's eyes and mouth widened simultaneously as she asked me in a surprised tone. "Once I safely returned to Yichang, he began to recover. But if he hears about a leak of his next work, he'll be devastated. He's already been considering giving up writing because of all the stress from 'The Storms of the Tang Clan.'" The second bell was Hopil's potential retirement. A fan of 'The Storms of the Tang Clan' couldn't possibly stand for that, right? "No way! He can't retire! Hopil must continue writing!" Her voice was too loud! Someone might hear. "Shh!" I quickly moved closer, pressing a finger to my lips. "Eep!" Was I too close? Im Ha-yeon pulled back slightly, seemingly uncomfortable. It's alright. This should be the perfect distance for issuing a warning. "Let’s keep our voices down." "Why are you telling me this?" Im Ha-yeon averted her eyes and asked in a gruff tone. Are you anxious? Do you feel like I'm suspecting you of being a thief? Even if it's a reasonable suspicion, you might still feel insulted. But what if that’s not the reason I'm talking to you? "Because you know how to jump over someone’s fence but don't actually dream of doing it." I quoted her words back to her, trying to convey empathy. This should ease the wary stray cat’s guard. With a small smile, I prepared to place the bell. "What do you mean?" The stray cat asked, her wariness softened. Even if I put a bell on a cat’s collar, it wouldn’t matter if the cat doesn’t wear it. So how could I ensure she wears the collar herself? "It's something only you can do. We never know where rumors might spread, so if you see anyone suspicious, please step in." Give the cat a title, and that should be enough. "Me?" "I beg of you. 'The Storms of the Tang Clan' is something that Hopil and I have risked our lives to protect. Until we print enough copies to meet demand and begin promoting, please be vigilant." I gently held her wrists with a sincere expression, as if to say that I trusted her utterly. Please, don't become a thief. Instead, be a thief-catcher. With this informal title, betraying my trust should be more difficult, right? "Um, you're too close." "Oh! Sorry." Im Ha-yeon quickly moved away when I took a step back, slipping out of the corner like a nimble stray cat. I've said my piece. Now, what's your answer? Success or failure? Im Ha-yeon glanced at me with a stern expression, then spoke. "I’ll let you know if I see anyone suspicious." Success. I finally managed to put a bell on the cat's collar. After making her reply, Im Ha-yeon left for the second floor, like a cautious stray cat still not fully tamed. She truly is a difficult employee to handle. Please, don't steal anything. I've placed multiple bells on her collar— her conscience, the possibility of Hopil's retirement, my trust, and an unofficial title. Whenever she contemplates stealing 'The Storms of the Tang Clan,' the bells I've placed in her heart will ring. I watched her disappear until her black qipao was no longer visible before quietly muttering to myself. "I need to tighten security at Daeseogak starting today." Got to make sure the doors are locked properly.