Chapter 236 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"Cheonghongdan?!" In the world of martial arts fiction, there isn't a more daring landscape when it comes to the choice of heroines. Even in the classics that emerged over fifty years ago, it was already a bold step to depict a master as the heroine, challenging the principle of 'the ruler, the teacher, and the father as one.' From childhood friends promised to wed, fellow apprentices, and masters who had shared joys and hardships, to a 120-year-old, mischievous but eternally youthful grandmaster—it’s a rich tapestry. In martial arts stories, as long as a heroine is captivating enough, discussions abound about how they can disregard various social norms to become the true principal wife. "How can you push for two principal wives?!" "Cheonghongihwa is fine! Didn’t you see them agree amongst themselves? They even suggested having the wedding together!" "How cowardly, pushing both as principal wives at the same time!" So, why can't two fellow apprentices be recognized as principal wives simultaneously? Not long ago, there were debates about how a courtesan could never become a principal wife, and now, a faction called Cheonghongdan is emerging based on the idea that having two wives is even possible. It's quite a pleasing sight. "Cheonghongihwa are the best women we've been seeking for Cheonghongdan!" "When you look at Gusukjeong and Dueunghyang, you can feel that Cheonghongihwa fills in the gaps." Though it seemed likely that a new principal wife faction might emerge following Sichuan's Most Beautiful Women and Hubei's Renowned Courtesans, appearing on the first day of Daseokgak's reopening was unexpected. It appears that restricting discussion about the Tang Family's stories at Daseokgak for a few days made them gather and form their own faction. "Is Cheonghongihwa lacking in charm compared to Sichuan's Most Beautiful Women and Hubei's Renowned Courtesans?" "You're speaking nonsense! Cheonghongihwa are one and yet two, and two yet one! While one might slightly lack in overall charm, the combined skills of the two surpass the allure of the other two women." In order to give both heroines a fair share in one volume, the focus was on the charm that comes from their relationship as fellow apprentices, rather than their individual charm, and to see them unite even in reality is quite something. "If you’re going to push for a principal wife, choose just one! Forming a coalition is cowardly!" "The combined skills aren’t cowardly. They're a strategy to face strong opponents." "Grrr!" "Cheonghongdan is open to both new and existing members of Daseohae." On the first day of allowing Tang Family Wind stories at Daseokgak, Cheonghongdan was fervent in recruiting talent. "A cold-faced female swordsman is far more attractive than Sichuan's Most Beautiful Women. Immiryung is much more appealing." "Didn’t Immiryung hold no other man in her heart? In that case, isn’t she a lofty blossom, no different from Sichuan’s Most Beautiful Women?" "Are you referring to the chivalrous hero Unhyun? It was merely admiration, not affection. Think the other way around—wasn’t it fascinating to see how Unhyun lost his heart to the cultured Tangjeong?" "Now, that was indeed quite pleasing to see." "What did you just say?" Seizing the moment when a member of Sichuan's Most Beautiful Women faction wavered, a member of Cheonghongdan did not miss the opportunity. "When was Sichuan's Most Beautiful Woman anyway? Immiryung, with her noble personality and dedication to love, is now with Cheonghongdan." "If I join now, what number member will I be?" "Really, you’re going to do this?!" The same was happening in Hubei's Renowned Courtesans faction. "You’re betraying Dueunghyang?!" “Betrayal? I’ve never betrayed Dueunghyang! My feelings towards her remain unchanged!” “Then why join Cheonghongdan?” “It’s just that my feelings for Immiryung have surpassed those for Dueunghyang.” “This can’t be!” “Are you a new member of Daseohae? How did you find the third volume?” “It was really enjoyable. The valor of Tangjeong was splendid, and Immiryung’s cuteness was…” "Come to Cheonghongdan, where Immiryung is affectionate yet competitive and deeply loves her sister!" This is nearly akin to poaching church members. Cheonghongdan, as an emerging force, was either snatching new Daseohae members or persuading one by one to join their ranks, increasing their strength. Naturally, this infuriated the original factions. "Traitors!" Among them was a beautiful woman with pink hair and blue eyes, Imhayoung. “Let’s go back to the stall if there’s nothing special happening.” “Aren't you going to stop them?” “They're simply having a civil conversation, not grabbing each other's collars and fighting.” For three volumes now, Daseohae has adhered to the rules of Daseokgak unless emotions run high. Even if the atmosphere might get heated due to new Daseohae members, with Imhayoung and the martial artists of Sichuan Tang Family around, no one would dare cause a large commotion. “But Cheonghongdan is poaching our talents!” Imhayoung said, stamping her feet in frustration. “Personal likes and dislikes can’t be controlled at will. Everyone loves Tang Family Winds. If conflicts escalate, I’ll intervene then. Here, take this.” I handed a bundle to Imhayoung. “What’s with the tea leaves?” When Imhayoung returned to the stall and opened the bundle, she tilted her head in confusion and asked. "You said you were confident in brewing premium tea, so I bought some good tea leaves. Are you not up to the task?" The supplier even asked why I was taking such expensive leaves. They really were top-notch. “What do you take me for, from a guild background? Just wait.” With a confident look, Imhayoung quickly approached the tea set and began brewing tea. The sight of a beauty brewing tea in a tight-fitting black cheongsam was so captivating that anyone could lose themselves just by watching. After some waiting, she expertly brought me a cup of tea. “Oh.” “Isn’t it delicious?” It was delicious. Definitely worth the high price. Or was it her skill that made it special? As I nodded in surprise, Imhayoung shrugged her shoulders with a triumphant look. “Brew me a few more cups.” “But why tea?” “Isn’t tea red?” “What?” Leaving the puzzled Imhayoung behind, I filled a dish with some snacks and headed into the middle of a silent battlefield. “Cheonghongdan members, you must be having a hard time.” Approaching with a business smile, I joined the crowd gathered at Cheonghongdan’s spot. "Manager Kang? Were we being too noisy?” “No. I brought some free snacks to support the hardworking members of Cheonghongdan.” "Snacks, you say? This is quite delicious. Is this a new menu item?" I nodded and looked at Cheonghongdan. It doesn’t matter which heroine the avid readers like. As long as they enjoy my novel, they're still my loyal readers. If I were simply an author, I'd be satisfied with that, but as the manager of Daseokgak, Kang Yoon-ho, I couldn't let this opportunity slip by. Pointing to the red tea and the bluish snacks, I began speaking. "Yes. These are delicacies made with high-quality ingredients by a skilled artisan. We call it the Cheonghong Set." Principal wife voting should be a gold coin election. "Cheonghong Set?" "If you want to show the author, Hopyul, just how many people love Cheonghongihwa, isn't it only fair to offer a set just like the other candidates for principal wife?" "Are you saying that buying this set will help convey to Author Hopyul who should be considered for the role of principal wife?" "Yes. The Cheonghong Set is more expensive than the others, but, since it represents two people, the votes will also be counted as double." Since this candidate started a bit late, wouldn’t a special double event help stir up some enthusiasm? "One Cheonghong Set here!" "The tea is exquisite!" "I can’t lose to this. Two Sukjeong Tea Sets here!" "Three Hyangah Coffee Sets over here!" Demand creates supply, and supply drives sales. The new principal wife sets at Daseokgak began to significantly boost the sales of Daseokgak. --- However, the members of Daseohae were not merely quarrelling about who would be the principal wife. With a new story published, discussions about the third volume were even more vigorous than the principal wife debates. One of the hottest topics was the major secret revealed in the third volume. “To think the lecher was actually a demon cult member.” The true identity of the lecher. The person using martial arts similar to Tang Family’s was actually from the demon cult. “I had already suspected it.” Setting down the tea he was enjoying, Tang Family martial artist spoke to the gathered Daseohae members. “You mean you noticed it?” “Yes, having mastered high-level martial arts but with an abnormal obsession with lust—it was strange, wasn’t it?” “I thought he was just a madman, but hearing that, it does seem odd.” “It’s a trait of demonic techniques. While it’s widely believed that mastering demonic techniques leads to insanity or bloodlust, there are other side effects as well.” “What kind of side effects?” “It becomes difficult to control one’s desires. While some lose their minds to madness, others gradually become deranged. Eventually, their way of thinking shifts to align with their desires." “So, simply put, they become crazed in their own way." “Haha. Indeed. No matter how obsessed a person is with lust, they would usually avoid those trying to kill them. But the lecher never gives up on his targets. That’s a typical symptom of someone who has mastered demonic techniques.” “So, the lecher was obsessed with lust because he had mastered demonic techniques.” “And there was another clue that the lecher was from the demon cult.” “What clue?” As all eyes turned to him, the Tang Family martial artist coughed awkwardly before continuing. “Ahem. One of the demon cult’s methods to cause discord in the martial world is to mimic or leave traces of established sects’ techniques." “I’ve heard that as well. Instead of getting traced using demonic techniques, they often leave traces of established sects’ martial arts to cause disputes among them.” “That’s right. The lecher being forced to reveal his demonic energy during his last stand against Tangjeong was just like a demon cult member hiding their true nature until the end.” “So, the reason the lecher’s martial arts seemed similar to Tang Family’s was because of that! Author Hopyul has indeed taken into account the intricate dynamics of the martial world.” “What an extraordinary author indeed.” That’s a scene I added because I planned to portray the lecher as a demon cult member. The reason I was dragged by the Tang Family twenty years ago was precisely because I exposed the lecher incident. Though in reality, the lecher was a poison master created by Tang Family, I changed his identity to a demon cult member. Considering the poison master was actually in cahoots with the demon cult, it wasn’t entirely false. “Resolving such a critical issue in such a momentous scene—truly impressive.” As I continued listening from a corner, Dangpa approached me with an admiring expression. “With our goal accomplished, I have no intention of causing trouble for Tang Family.” I replied, maintaining my indifferent look as the illegitimate child of Tang Family who had seen his plan succeed. “The head of the family will be pleased.” “Whether he's pleased or not doesn’t concern me. To prevent any misunderstandings, make sure to explain everything well regarding the demon cult involvement.” “Of course. Lately, some subordinates have even joined Daseohae and are actively participating.” You go to that extent? Well, it’s good for me. The longer Tang Family’s people stay at Daseokgak, the more the sales of Tang Family Wind and the entire second floor of Daseokgak will skyrocket. I might be able to pay off my debt soon at this rate. “What are you doing standing idle?” Imhayoung approached the corner with a busy look. Dangpa squinted his eyes and smirked as he glanced at her. “Ah! I will keep the cheongsam a secret.” Dangpa retreated for his guard duties, leaving a puzzled Imhayoung behind. I almost wanted to say it's fine, but caught myself in time. Now that I think about it, there's no need to let Tang Family know about that, right? --- “Isn’t the principal wife set too expensive?” With Daseokgak's sales skyrocketing and Daseohae members increasing daily, complaints were bound to arise somewhere. “Who told you to drink it?” “This is why we need to screen new Daseohae members more carefully.” “Tsk tsk. Why are these rabble-rousers increasing so quickly?” “Better call for the new Daseokgak trouble-sweeping broom quickly.” It wasn’t the first time Daseohae members heard such complaints, so they clicked their tongues and scolded the new member. “No, listen to me. How long are you saying we must continue ordering these sets?” “Well, until the principal wife is decided, of course.” “If we keep ordering without knowing how many volumes are left until the conclusion, it will become a never-ending war.” I wish the sales of Daseokgak would never end. “Then you don’t order. I will.” “I’m not saying, as a new member of Daseohae, that I won’t order. I just mean there’s no need for it to be excessive.” “You're not the only one thinking that. But if we stop, the other side will push ahead, so how can we just stop?” “One set per day. Even if we drink it all, that should be enough. If you agree, I'll buy a principal wife set for each Daseohae member.” It seems the new member of Daseohae has deep pockets. “Hmm. One set per person, huh...” “If the other factions follow the same rule, there shouldn’t be an issue.” He’s right. The Tang Family Winds will continue its serialization, and the number of heroines will only grow. Who will become the principal wife? A golden vote election to decide it. To avoid turning this into an endless battle that only boosts Daseokgak's coffers, it would be wise for members to come together and agree on a limit. If they think our sales tactics are too aggressive, the Daseohae members might form alliances to reach a consensus. “I’ll take that as agreement and place the orders accordingly. Manager Kang!” But here’s the thing. Would I, the manager, just sit back and watch that happen? “Yes. I’ll post this announcement promptly.” I turned around and posted a large announcement where everyone could see it. “What kind of announcement is this... Huh!” “What on earth?” “Could it be?” The Daseohae members stared at the announcement in shock. I am well aware of my reputation for aggressive sales tactics. Even though there are rumors about me taking care of employee welfare and supporting impoverished writers, stories about my sales strategies always accompany them. So, what should I do? [Tang Family Winds – Side Stories: Sichuan’s Best, Hubei’s Renowned Courtesan, Cheonghongihwa. Coming soon.] “I’ve made a special request to Author Hopyul for this.” When faced with endless competition, creating intermediate checkpoints is all it takes. Manager Kang Yoon-ho made a request to Author Hopyul. “...Side story volumes could be decided based on popularity?” I get to decide the page numbers for the heroine I support. How’s that for keeping things irresistible? Smiling triumphantly, I asked the stunned members of Daseohae. “How many principal wife sets would you like to order?”