Chapter 286 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"Are you busy?" The day after meeting Je Gak Hyang, I searched for Im Ha Yeon, who was unseen since returning yesterday, all morning. "Busy? I'm busy every day. Why?" "Grumble." Im Ha Yeon spoke without even glancing my way as she inspected her carrier pigeons. Her voice seemed a bit sharp. Was it not a coincidence that our paths didn't cross since I got back yesterday? "I hardly got to see you since yesterday." "……." Im Ha Yeon finally turned to look at me, perhaps deciding to show her face. Why did her lips look so pouty? "You must be busy. In that case, I'll leave you be." There's no need to fan the flames of a burning house. I stepped back, ready to turn away. "Why?" Im Ha Yeon called out to stop me from leaving. "I was hoping we could go to Seocheon Pyo Guk together." Since the branch inauguration for Daseo Gak hadn't been confirmed yet, I needed to visit Seocheon Pyo Guk for the next steps. "……Together?" Her voice sounded as if she was hesitantly sheathing a sharp knife. "I could go alone, but it would be nice to have you with me." This is an opportunity. I need Im Ha Yeon for today. I must sweet-talk her into a good mood. I awkwardly scratched my head and said, "Isn't it something you can handle by yourself?" "I'm planning to visit Seocheon Pyo Guk, then head to finalize the first term of the meeting. It’d be helpful to have your input…" "And you need it?" She approached me swiftly, looking up with a slightly discontent expression. Seems mentioning her necessity wasn’t enough. What's the right approach? Think quickly. "I thought we might have a meal together as well." We missed dining together yesterday. Let's eat together later; I'll treat you at a nice place. Now, this should be a reasonable proposal. "Hmm... Wait for me. I'll get ready." Did I find the right answer? Im Ha Yeon gave a slight chuckle, her mood seemed to lift as she finally smiled. Thankfully, as she returned to her room, her steps appeared much lighter. ——— "Here. These are the parcels sent from Eui-chang." Upon arriving at Seocheon Pyo Guk, a Pyo Sa recognized me and led us to the warehouse. "What is all this?" Im Ha Yeon asked, seemingly surprised by the box filled with bundles of paper. "These are the flyers ordered from the Eui-chang printing house." When you need to print, shouldn’t you use a costly printing house? I took out a sheet and showed it to Im Ha Yeon. [Quick Delivery. Now dine at home!] [Send a carrier pigeon and we'll be there.] [Apply now and receive a free trial!] "Flyers? Planning to promote something?" "We'll be opening more branches in faraway places, right? They're for sticking or distributing to people when the new branch opens." The more promotional methods, the better. There’s only so much word-of-mouth can do. When opening a branch, nothing beats a good flyer for widespread advertising. "Considering how vast Muhan is, it makes sense that word-of-mouth won't suffice when opening branches far from the main branch. But didn’t these cost quite a bit for paper?" "I used lower quality, cheaper paper. Anyway, the promotional costs won’t come out of my pocket." The pooled savings from our meet-ups are all going towards franchise fees. Since I'm running the main branch, the more outlets I create to use the funds, the better. Of course, it's essential to spend in a way that convinces the franchise owners. "Really... Your business acumen is unbeatable." Im Ha Yeon remarked, seemingly in awe. "Haha. I'll take that as a compliment." "After checking, please provide your signature." After verifying the parcels, the Pyo Sa handed me a document. "Yes, everything's correct." "Kang Gong Ja! I would've liked you to visit me first. Come on in!" Once the verification and signing were complete, Seocheon Pyo Guk's Muhan branch manager greeted me warmly and led me to his office. "Thank you for taking the time in your busy schedule." "Not at all. For Kang Gong Ja, I’d make time even if I had none." "Thank you. It's been a while since my last visit, and the Muhan branch seems lively. Is there good news?" "Haha, although work here can't flourish like in Sichuan, we've recently received active support from above, giving us some breathing room." The branch manager gazed at me warmly, almost as if looking at a treasure. If "above" refers to the Sichuan faction, then is the support for the Muhan branch because of me? "It's heartening news to hear." Hubei province is the domain of the Wudang Sect and the Je Gal family. It’s tough to reckon with their influence, as even the richest in Muhan, the man known as Mangam Jeonju, is related to the Je Gal family. Seocheon Pyo Guk was just another logistical company in Muhan, unlike in Sichuan. It’s one of the few avenues I can rely on in Muhan, so the support is welcome news for me as well. "Speaking of the Korean laborers you introduced…” During our conversation about my recent activities, the branch manager brought up the Korean laborers working at the river port. "The workers I introduced, you mean? Is there a problem?” "Haha! Problem, what problem! The Korean laborers are remarkably diligent. Even when there's a lot to carry, they work tirelessly without complaint, and they waited till the delayed ships arrived to unload everything." The branch manager was quick to praise the Korean laborers. "They’re making a living even in a foreign land." "Initially, some carriers grumbled, saying they'd lose their wives and daughters to the black-haired newcomers at night. But now they’re happier, saying their workload has decreased." "Hahaha. Happy to hear misunderstandings have been cleared." Black-haired folks are perfectly safe. It's just a misunderstanding. Standard logistics operations usually consist of a Pyo Sa to protect goods and laborers to carry the loads. However, river logistics involve transporting many more goods at once due to ships, hence requiring laborers more than carriers. "These days, it seems all of the Muhan branch's prosperity is thanks to you, Kang Gong Ja." The branch manager's eyes practically dripped with honey. "The way you speak makes me glad I sought a meeting today." With the business I had in mind, this amiable atmosphere was most welcome. "Is the reason for today's meeting related to the parcels? If it is, I won't charge for the delivery this time." "It's not that. I have a favor to ask." "A favor?" I began laying out my plans to the branch manager. ———————- After visiting Seocheon Pyo Guk, it was time for the first order of business from our meeting. "Really? You're saying I'm the first in line?!" The person I approached was a Pyo Sa with a limp, Choi Deok Soo. Choi Pyo Sa met us with a surprised expression at his modest home. "Yes. After much deliberation, I've decided you're the best choice for the first franchise owner in our mutual aid society." "Me, a limping man, chosen over other fellow members for the first spot? How... how could I...?” Choi Pyo Sa asked again, his voice trembling in disbelief. "I pondered for a long time who among our members should become the first owner. After lengthy consideration, I concluded it should be you, Choi Pyo Sa." It's crucial that I appear as though I'm being magnanimous, bestowing generosity without expecting anything in return. I wore a good-hearted smile, as if gifting a lottery prize with no strings attached. "Is it because I limp?" For a delivery restaurant's initial franchisee. Maybe frightened by sudden fortune, Choi Pyo Sa looked at us with lingering doubt. "Of course not." "If it's because I limp, please push me to a later rank, not the first." "Why would you say that?" "It's true I've been cast aside by the logistics company I worked for after becoming handicapped from years of delivering goods. Being a black-haired man with a limp, it's indeed difficult to find work again. But over twenty years as a Pyo Sa, I've saved bit by bit. Please find someone more in need." "Dear! What are you saying? Our leader decided this with care!" "Silence! It's not just about us!" Choi Pyo Sa's wife, listening quietly, protested loudly in frustration, but his voice was firm with resolve. His reputation for good character seemed well-deserved. Yet I wasn't prepared to back down. Choi Pyo Sa was essential to my plans. I spoke with a serious expression. "It's not because you limp, but because you’ve mastered martial arts that I chose you first.” "What do you mean by that?" He asked with a startled and bewildered tone. The reason I placed Choi Pyo Sa as the first rank for the mutual aid society wasn’t his limp. It's a new step to advance my business. To climb this step, I opened my mouth. "I need you to become the martial arts instructor for the Korean deliverymen." Choi Pyo Sa needed to become the martial arts instructor. "Huh? Do you intend to turn Koreans into martial artists?" "Similar but not quite. What I require are deliverymen trained in martial arts, not martial artists per se." "I don't quite understand." I looked at Choi Pyo Sa, who was already teaching some martial arts to Koreans regularly. I don't want deliverymen who are just skilled with a sword. Reducing petty fights in taverns. And a way to further thrive my business. What I strive for is— "I'm planning to transform the Koreans into deliverymen proficient in the art of lightness, making them the pilots of delivery, Delivery Knights."