Chapter 238 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

The balance in your bank account is the stamina of a working person. Unless you're planning on playing some perverse game, there's nobody who runs all out with only 1 HP left, right until the boss fight. One day, that balance could be used to pay for treatment of a severe illness that struck out of the blue, or cover the dreaded dental expenses that were terrifying as a child for the pain, and even more so as an adult for the cost. While my salary grows at an arithmetic level, housing prices rise exponentially, which means I also need to save up for the next time I move. And if one day, an unforeseen rush of limited edition gacha items appears, I might find myself pleading with my future self, cursing my past self as I desperately spend. If you’ve taken charge of your own life, you must always keep the balance in your bank account – your stamina – intact to handle any unforeseen events. I took out my ledger from the attic drawer. From the times when money would barely touch my account before disappearing due to debt repayments, up to now. Compared to the early days of Dasukak, the stamina stats documented in the ledger were certainly plentiful. The problem, however, is that the printing press is such an expensive piece of equipment that it could buckle my knees with its cost. “To expand the business, we need to establish a Dasukak branch.” Publishing one novel won’t immediately make the Nine Schools exult, the Unorthodox sects tremble in fear, and the Demon sects fret in anguish. After all, the area of Hubei Province alone is twice the size of South Korea. And there are countless provincial administrative units like Hubei in the central plains. To become famous, I need to do more than throw out one novel into the central plains; I need to increase branches and spread the name of Tang Family’s Fortune. “First, let’s establish a printing house.” Instead of getting lead alloy types delivered, we need a professional printing house that can produce our own types and keep the presses running constantly. “If we set up a printing house in Yichang, we can establish Dasukak branches all along the Yangtze River and extend our influence.” Yichang, near the flow of the Yangtze River, is the second-largest city in Hubei Province. The Yangtze River not only connects Sichuan, Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangsu Provinces, but also exerts influence over the Jiangnan area. If I follow the Yangtze River’s flow and open branches, ensuring they sell only the books printed by our printing house, it'll be like a franchise headquarters supplying raw materials to its branches, thereby securing control over them. Additionally, we can procure manpower through a work-study student system. The balance in your bank account is the stamina of a working person. For an ordinary employee, it’s best to always maintain robust stamina, but not for me. I need to expand the business. I need to increase my reputation and make money. For the women who defy their destiny. To find the true heroine. Now is the time to use that stamina and charge forward. ------ “If you’re heading to a client, take me with you.” A few days later. Lim Ha-yeon caught me as I was about to leave Dasukak to attend an auction for a government printing press allocation. “It’s not even lunchtime. The manager needs to be on site.” Are you just trying to avoid work? Blending in subtly when a superior steps out takes some experience. “I'm not the only one learning managerial duties. And there’s an issue with the goods that are being delivered.” Lim Ha-yeon said, handing me a batch of coffee beans. “What’s the issue?” “They have a musty smell, and the foam is different from usual. We need to check if it’s old stock or a mistake.” “It seems similar to usual.” I sniffed the coffee beans and tilted my head in confusion. Something felt off, but it didn’t seem like a big deal. “See? You can’t tell. That’s why you need a specialist.” “Alright, let’s go together then.” Since Lim Ha-yeon had been professionally trained in a calligraphy workshop, her critique would be reliable. “Hey, sis. Are you heading out with the manager again?” Ha Soso squinted suspiciously at Lim Ha-yeon as she prepared to leave. “I’m going out for work.” Does she feel a bit guilty about leaving during a busy period? Lim Ha-yeon mumbled in an excuse as she avoided Ha Soso’s eyes. “Manager, make sure you buy Ha-yeon sis a nice dinner later.” “That’s not what this is about!” Is the strong reaction really necessary? “Let’s go.” With slight hurt feelings pushed aside, I left Dasukak with Lim Ha-yeon. Lim Ha-yeon stole glances at me while keeping her head down, then finally spoke. “You know it’s not like that, right?” I know. I get it. -------------------------------- “My apologies!” Lim Ha-yeon’s assessment was spot on. The supplier had mixed old stock with new items. “This happens again, and we’re finding a new supplier.” After all the volume we purchase monthly, they dare pull a stunt like this. I growled menacingly at the supplier. “My apologies. As a token of apology, we’ll give you a 20% discount on the next delivery!” After receiving continuous apologies and promises of non-recurrence, we stepped back out onto the street. “I was right, wasn’t I?” Lim Ha-yeon said, swelling her shoulders with pride like she could almost fly, despite lacking the legendary Qinggong skill of stepping on air. “As expected of a specialist. Without you, Dasukak customers would have been served bad refreshments.” “Humph! Since it’s served under the name of Doonghyang-nim, how could I offer anything subpar?” “How about I treat you to a nice dinner later?” “Sound... uh, forget it. You’re such a smooth-talker.” Recalling Ha Soso’s words, Lim Ha-yeon squinted one eye at me while replying. “If you don’t want it, fine. Let’s head to the next place.” “Where are we heading now?” “To the government office.” I pointed casually toward the distant government office. Lim Ha-yeon’s complexion turned pale. What’s going on? I stared at her in puzzlement. With the betrayed look of a boy whose parents bought him a pork cutlet under false pretenses, only to lose something precious, Lim Ha-yeon finally spoke. “You’re not planning to sell me off, are you?” ------ “Hurry up and get inside.” “Uh, uuuh. Just a moment. Let me take a deep breath first. Phew!” Honestly, a woman who loses her composure at weird times. Runaway courtesan, daughter of the Shadowless Phantom Thief, and a thief herself. If even one fact about her past were to be revealed, Im Ha-yeon could end up being used as a human wind instrument in a government office, which is likely why she was hesitant to go inside. In the end, with her still hesitating and looking like she was confronting an invisible barrier, I had to grab her sleeve and pull her inside. “Is this not the right place?” I expected the place to be packed since today was the only day for submissions, but it seemed eerily empty. Did I come to the wrong place? It felt like that sinking realization you get ten minutes before a college exam starts, walking into an empty lecture hall and knowing something's terribly wrong. “Are you here to submit a bid for the printing press allocation?” A staff member, who appeared to be an administrator, stood up from his desk and asked. “Yes. Is this the correct place for bid submissions?” “If you write your details on this paper and place it in this jar, we’ll notify you separately. But are you sure you want to proceed?” The administrator gave me a wary look as he glanced over his shoulder at a corner of the room. I followed his gaze and saw a few martial artists keeping a close eye on me. “What?” The administrator sighed, exasperated, and pointed to the jar, which had only one other envelope inside. Something feels fishy. Between the administrator’s big sigh and the ominous warning, it’s clear that these martial artists are connected to this situation. A quick mental calculation revealed unknown risks, but today was the deadline for submissions. The printing press up for auction was in excellent condition and within an affordable price range. If I gave up on this opportunity, it could deal a critical blow to the Dasukak ledger. “I’ll submit my bid.” The decision was swift. This is my home turf. If I can’t handle this kind of challenge, I shouldn’t be in business. “We’ll verify your details, and someone will contact you. Submit your bid amount by the same time next week.” I nodded and then walked out of the government office with Im Ha-yeon, who kept glancing nervously at the martial artists. -------- “We’re being followed.” A short distance away from the government office, Im Ha-yeon quietly whispered to me. “The guys from earlier?” “Yes, they’re behind us to the left, and others are coming from the front too.” “Let’s head into an alley!” Without missing a beat, we sprinted towards the nearest alley. “They're running! Catch them!” “Haahh, haahh!” Following Im Ha-yeon at full speed, I felt like my lungs were about to burst. “You’ve trained in martial arts, so why can’t you use Qinggong (light-body technique)?” “I don’t have much inner strength...” Just give me an elixir or something. And it’s tough to keep up when you’re running through the alleyways like a parkour expert, like a thief! “Ugh, seriously! Get on my back.” Im Ha-yeon, hesitating for a moment with frustration, squatted down and showed her back. “I don’t think that’s necessary.” I appreciate it, but it’s not needed. “What?” “We’re surrounded.” -------- “Huff, huff, heave!” Moments after being surrounded, a young man who seemed to be in his early twenties appeared, gasping for breath. He looked like someone who neither exercised nor studied seriously, as if he had erected a Great Wall between himself and both. “Young lord, take deep breaths.” “I- I’m fine! Who... who the hell are you?” The thug, pointing his finger at us while gasping for air, demanded answers. “...” “Black hair? Are you a barbarian? Hey, do you not speak Central Plain dialect? Ha! Damn, does anyone here understand what this barbarian is saying? Wait, the girl next to you isn’t a barbarian.” “Who are you?” If you act intimidated, they’ll only press harder. Keeping a calm tone, I asked the bewildered young man. “What do you mean, who am I? I am Jeon Gil-san of Mankeum Bookshop!” “Jeon Gil-san of Mankeum Bookshop?” Who is that? His name might be big, but it was as confusing as a game show where a mask is removed to reveal an obscure singer. “Don’t tell me you haven’t heard of Mankeum Bookshop? Are you an uneducated barbarian or what? Hey, are you here on an errand for your master?” “What did you just say?!” “Calm down.” I stopped Im Ha-yeon, trying to diffuse her rage. Being discriminated against as a barbarian was nothing new; at this point, it was just like a morning greeting. “Hey, barbarian! Tell your master that Jeon Gil-san of Mankeum Bookshop of Wuhan is eyeing the printing press, so you should back out of the bid.” “Mankeum Bookshop of Wuhan?” “Damn, this barbarian’s tongue is pretty short. Did your master teach you to speak like that? This won’t do.” Jeon Gil-san eyed me with disdain and then raised his hand. At his signal, the martial artists stared menacingly at us. So, we’re going to have to use force after all. “Get behind me.” Im Ha-yeon lifted the slit of her qipao, revealing her slender legs, readying her unique kicking technique. “I can give you a hand.” I said, fiddling with a concealed weapon in my pocket. Maybe because we didn’t show fear, the martial artists inched closer with tense expressions. Where should I aim to disable them effectively? While deliberating and facing the tension of the situation, *Whistle* “The constable says the people who left the office went that way!” A whistle blew. “Tch! Tell your master this clearly! Let’s go!” Jeon Gil-san disappeared hurriedly into the alley. -------- “Did you put in a bid for a printing press that Mankeum Bookshop is after? Are you crazy?” The bookstore representative came to Dasukak and immediately started to rant. “Was this common knowledge? Who are these guys?” “Don’t you know Mankeum Bookshop? It’s the most famous bookstore in Hubei, run by Mankeum Trading Company. They support authors like Ho-pil at Dasukak and have exclusive contracts to supply books.” “I think I’ve seen them a few times.” I seem to recall seeing them a few times while traveling around Hubei Province. “The guy who showed up in Yichang this time is the grandson of Mankeum Trading Company’s elder lord. They came by not too long ago with some martial artists, threatening me not to bid on the printing press, and I was terrified.” The bookstore representative trembled, recalling the incident. “What’s with Mankeum Trading Company and Mankeum Bookshop monopolizing government allocations? Why does the administration let this slide?” “It's tricky for them to intervene in a private bid. Plus, the money for Mankeum Bookshop comes from Mankeum Trading Company, so the administration probably thought they’d be compensated well. They’ve likely received some kickbacks too.” “It’s outrageous.” “Even if that grandson of theirs is an absolute troublemaker, ignoring them isn’t an option. Mankeum Bookshop is the most famous bookstore in Hubei Province; getting on their bad side wouldn’t end well.” “But there’s no Mankeum Bookshop here in Yichang.” “That’s because we’re here.” The bookstore representative pointed to the ground. “Dasukak?” “Isn’t the Master of the Baekga Family and the Son Master of Mankeum Trading Company childhood friends? That’s why there’s no Mankeum Bookshop in Yichang.” “Aha.” They avoid interfering with a friend’s business. That might explain why they haven’t expanded here. The bookstore representative explained that’s why he hadn’t informed me about Mankeum Bookshop’s presence. “Because of that, small bookstores like ours benefit. But still, be careful.” “It’s absurd that those guys came all the way here just because the printing press was cheap.” Though it’s ridiculous, the price was indeed tempting. “What kind of grand bookstore exists in a hick town like Yichang?” Lost in thought briefly, I heard a familiar voice. “It’s probably because Mankeum Bookshop isn’t here.” Huh? Those guys? “Is that so? Get the manager out here!” “What’s the matter?” The men shouting were the same ones from Mankeum Bookshop we encountered earlier. “Huh? The barbarian from before? Are you just a clerk here?” “I asked, what’s the matter?” “Not you, barbarian. Get the manager out here.” Jeon Gil-san waved his hand dismissively, speaking to me with an annoyed expression. “I am the manager.” “…You’re the manager?” “…” “Isn’t the owner of Dasukak known to have purple hair? This is a problem.” Jeon Gil-san, or whatever this thug’s name was, seemed to grasp the situation, his expression resembling that of an interviewer bewildered by meeting a rude elderly candidate who refused to give up their seat on a bus. “I asked, what’s the matter?” “Sigh. Damn it.” Was he educated by those from the unorthodox sects? Huffing and puffing in front of people like that—what kind of upbringing? “We’re from Mankeum Bookshop.” Finally, the lackey who seemed to accompany the young thug spoke to me. “I already got a fiery introduction to your shop. So, what do you want?” The man, struggling with discomfort, eventually brought up a surprising request. “We’d like you to arrange a meeting with Author Ho-pil.”