Chapter 256 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"I'd rather abandon Daseogak than go into debt." It was a contingency plan, but it also carried a hint of deception. After all, Daseogak was a bookstore located in the heart of Yichang’s bustling city center. To put it in perspective, it’s like having a large bookstore and café in the busiest area of Busan, even if it's not Seoul. Giving up on Daseogak, a prime location in Yichang’s bustling city center, and starting over from scratch would mean taking a significant step back. But if I passed the test set by Mangumjeonju, all the debts would be absolved. It was a tempting offer. "Did you say it’s a test to amass money?" The conditions were enticing. I asked again about the test’s specifics. "You must manage all your expenses within the amount specified on the voucher. You should also be able to account for any suspicions raised with precise bookkeeping." The money specified on the voucher wasn’t an exorbitant amount, but it was sufficient to start a small business. "Do I just need to earn money within Wuchang?" "That’s right." Essentially, I needed to earn enough money to satisfy my creditor. Normally, this would be frustrating, but I had an easy method in mind. 'I just need to set up Daseogak in Wuchang and sell the popular novel, Dangga Pungun.' Dangga Pungun was already a surefire hit. Out of respect for Mangumjeonju and Baek Gajangju, Dangga Pungun hadn't spread much in Wuchang. So, all I needed to do was print Dangga Pungun in Yichang and sell it in Wuchang. As for the bookkeeping issue, as long as I handled it transparently like the transactions between regular printing presses and bookstores, it should be fine. It seemed easier than I thought. “But you can’t make money with novels, especially not with your acclaimed Dangga Pungun.” Mangumjeonju spoke as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. "A writer and a bookstore owner not allowed to make money with novels?" "I’ve already seen your skills. There’s no point in seeing the same ability twice." If only there were a device to erase memories with a flash of light. If I wore sunglasses and asked him to wait a moment... Making money through means other than books felt like playing a game of chess without the rook and bishop. "What are the dates on the documents confirming payment ability?" "The test is indeed about making money, but you must have your repayment ability confirmed periodically. During these times, additional conditions may be imposed, or the current ones may be eased." So, depending on the situation, they might allow me to sell Dangga Pungun. "You mean the conditions could become more stringent?" In such cases, it’s essential to check for any hidden clauses rather than indulging in hopeful thinking. "I intend to test you to see if you are truly the successor Baek would have wanted." Mangumjeonju looked at me as if I were a fledgling junior. So that’s what the test was about. Hwarin’s maternal grandfather was prominent in many business areas, not just bookstores. Mangumjeonju probably wanted to see if I, as his friend's potential successor, truly had talent. If I truly had talent, he’d absolve my debts. If I lacked it, he intended to make me work under him. Considering my debt amount, it was indeed a test suited for someone like Mangumjeonju. "To make money in Wuchang without selling books. It’s like telling me to earn money from scratch, right?" I pretended to be disheartened like a veteran student who wrongly answered the first question on a college entrance exam. "Can’t you do it?" I didn’t answer and just stared at Mangumjeonju, who was beginning to look disappointed. I felt frustrated. Without debt, if only they didn’t take money every month... When will I ever be able to save the heroines’ destinies and find the true heroine? However, that didn’t mean the debts I had to repay would vanish. If those debts disappeared? I could finally shed my shackles and move freely. By establishing Daseogak branches along the Yangtze River and aggressively expanding my business, I could build my reputation and wealth. If successful, I could spread my wings across Zhongyuan. If I failed, I’d be enslaved by debt and my life held hostage. Should I give up because of the fear of failure? No. I started my journey in Zhongyuan with nothing but rags on my back. A guy who ran relentlessly to protect a single piece of bread now stood before Mangumjeonju. To live in this world, I’ve always borne risks. If this time I had to bear a risk not just to survive but to soar... "I’ll do it." I could bear it. ************************** "Did he leave well?" Mangumjeonju Jang Noya asked while looking at the bonsai placed in the garden. "We confirmed that he entered the inn where Young Master Kang is staying." "Ensure that the money is given precisely on the date specified in the voucher." "I will proceed fairly and without any errors." "…General Manager." Mangumjeonju called out while watering the bonsai that had withered leaves. "Yes, Master." "This bonsai I learned about in my old age is quite fascinating. If given too much attention, its roots rot or weaken, causing it to wither. But if you don’t care for it enough, it can't survive. Curiously, with just a little care, pruning it lightly, it sometimes flourishes better than any other bonsai." Jang Noya looked at the most vibrant bonsai in the garden with satisfaction as he spoke. The general manager, who had served Mangumjeonju for decades, gauged his intentions and began speaking. "When I first heard about Young Master Kang, I found it hard to believe. Convincing Baek’s veteran creditors using wit, writing a book that even I read non-stop overnight, and creating Daseogak, never missing a single debt repayment—these feats were astonishing." "Heh heh. That’s not all." "Indeed. Though I don't know all the details, I heard he escaped dire situations in Sichuan using immense wisdom and courage. Then, upon returning to Yichang, he continuously expanded his business while still doing good deeds. It’s unbelievable that someone barely past their twenties could achieve all this." Mangumjeonju nodded with satisfaction at the general manager's words. "The information acquired from Sichuan, is it accurate?" "Yes. It seems Miss Dang Hwarin will need about ten years of rest and recuperation at the Dang clan in Sichuan. Their marriage will likely happen in their thirties." The general manager compared and verified the information obtained from Sichuan Province and Kang Yunho. "Ten years... That's a long time for a man set to run a major business to wait without someone to manage the household." In a world where women generally marry in their teens, or in the case of martial artists, in their early twenties at the latest, a man still unmarried in his thirties is not just a bachelor; he's seen as socially problematic. Mangumjeonju's voice carried an inscrutable sense of satisfaction. "Yes. Even if there's a woman who has promised a future with him, he needs a family and a woman who can support him during that time." "Then it's settled." A bonsai that thrived with greater vitality than any other plant in the garden was now in the hands of someone who was turning it into one of the most beautiful bonsai trees. "The grandsons will be gathering at Mangumjeonju Hall soon." The general manager, who had been admiring the beauty of the bonsai, hurriedly spoke about the upcoming schedule. "Is he coming too?" "Well…" The child Mangumjeonju spoke of—the general manager knew who he was referring to and couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. "Is he coming?" "He generally dislikes going out... Besides, this gathering is only for those grandchildren with qualification." "So that's how it is, then?" Mangumjeon's voice was as cold as a pair of scissors pruning away unnecessary parts of a bonsai. "I'll send the letter immediately." "Good. Make sure there are no mistakes." Mangumjeonju left the bonsai behind and re-entered his room to prepare for the outing. --------------------- Inside the carriage heading to Mangumjeon Hall. Mangumjeonju Jang Noya was reminiscing about his cherished friend from the past. **"Baek Ga, what's with these sudden acts of kindness? Have you gone mad after losing your wife and children?"** **"I'm planning to leave behind not just money, but people."** The sorrow of losing a wife, children, and enduring their deaths struck his friend suddenly, and Jang Noya, as a close friend, found it nearly impossible to console him. Even if it were good deeds, to an extent that it affected business was hard to comprehend. Feeding hungry beggars, supporting talented but underprivileged individuals, and establishing orphanages for children who lost parents to war or accidents—these were acts he was continuously committed to, no matter how noble they were. At the time, Mangumjeonju thought his friend had gone mad. He simply couldn’t understand. **"Baek Ga, it took losing your son for you to realize..."** Mangumjeonju's voice bore the regret of old age. Had he given too much water? The one to continue his legacy, his only son, was suddenly lost. That son, whom he'd gotten in his later years, had focused on learning his father’s work instead of getting married. He had been content with that. But who would have guessed that his healthy son would die suddenly from an unknown illness? Only then did Mangumjeonju realize. ‘Who will continue my legacy when I die?’ A profound emptiness began to fill his life, one that had been focused solely on money. Mangumjeonju reminisced once more about his departed friend. **"People won’t be left behind just because you give your fortune away!"** **"If I keep scattering it, eventually at least one child will inherit my will."** He heard that everyone in Yichang grieved over his friend’s death. But no one ever appeared who could carry on his friend's will. That’s what Mangumjeonju thought. Not until he saw the face of his friend’s wayward daughter’s grandson, the fiancé of his own granddaughter. **"I plan to leave behind people, not money."** **"My belief is that business is not about leaving a profit, but leaving people."** Mangumjeonju Jang Noya was momentarily speechless at Yunho Kang’s words. The man before him was different in appearance and hair color from his old friend, but for a moment, they overlapped so much. A tree that no one cared about—its relationship with his friend was like that of a plant absorbing nourishment. It had grown robustly, aspiring to continue his friend’s will. Had Baek Ga witnessed this, he would have looked at his granddaughter's fiancé more fondly than any grandfather. In the end, Baek Ga had been right. "Grandfather!" Mangumjeonju scanned the gathered grandchildren and then took his seat of honor. "Each of you, take one." Mangumjeonju gestured to the general manager, and the prepared bundle of papers was distributed among the gathered grandchildren. "Grandfather, what is this?" "A voucher? Grandpa, is this an allowance? It’s quite small." The vouchers bore the same amount of money that had been given to the black-haired man. "This is your test." "A test?" "Use that voucher to multiply the money here in Wuchang." This part was the same as he had said to the black-haired man. "What's the point of this test?" "Why do we have to... Grandfather, can't we just not do it?" Without responding, Mangumjeonju surveyed the gathered grandchildren. Among them was Jeon Gilsan, infamous for causing trouble in Yichang. A sense of frustration tightened around Mangumjeon's chest. It wasn't just Jeon Gilsan. They were all similar. Money is merely a means to trample over and rise above. He hadn’t wanted them to be spoiled and weakened by the wealth they had. Not one of them stood out. Despite marrying his daughters into good families, how could these children carry his blood? Yet with married-off daughters’ children, he couldn't interfere in their education. "Grandfather?" The words of a grandchild snapped Mangumjeonju out of his reverie. Even these children deserved a fair chance. Mangumjeonju raised his voice to announce a significant decision to his offspring. "The one who passes this test will become my successor to Mangumjeon Hall."