The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel-Chapter 232: Volume 3 Release - 4

“Would it be alright if we also joined in the conversation about the Daseogak Literary Society and Storm of the Tang Clan?”

The Tang Clan warriors asked me carefully, now that the number of troublesome customers had noticeably decreased.

“The Literary Society?”

“We don’t mean to slack off during work hours. Quite the opposite—we’d like to stay at Daseogak even during our breaks to talk about Storm of the Tang Clan.”

When I looked at them with a confused face, the Tang Clan warriors seemed to think I misunderstood, like they were asking to take a break, and hurriedly raised both arms in defense.

“I don’t mind.”

Actually, it’s more than welcome.

Like doctors reviewing a medical drama, or a basketball player commentating on the Mountain King finals, or a football legend analyzing a Korea match—when experts comment on subculture, it draws attention.

And now, Tang Clan warriors were joining a discussion group about a novel featuring a protagonist from the Sichuan Tang Clan. It was guaranteed to become a massive topic.

Of course, if they started badmouthing it, I’d have to intervene—but thankfully, they were all passionate fans of Storm of the Tang Clan.

“May we also join the Daseogak Literary Society?”

Eventually, the Tang Clan warriors began attending the Literary Society gatherings.

“T-The Tang Clan warriors! Of course!”

The Daseogak Literary Society members had already been dying to ask questions about Storm of the Tang Clan.

Was it really true that the Sichuan Tang Clan approved the release of Volume 3? What did the Tang Clan actually think of the book? Could Tang Jeong really be considered a Tang Clan warrior?

And the Tang Clan warriors began answering those many questions.

“Tang Jeong’s Triple Poison isn’t impressive just because he poisoned the Lecher.”

And the Tang warriors spoke proudly, as if Tang Jeong really was one of their own.

“There’s more to it?”

“In Volume 2, Tang Jeong devises Triple Poison as the secret strategy to defeat the Lecher. That means he locally sourced and combined the ingredients to create it. It shows his profound knowledge of poison, enough to create a new one.”

“Don’t all Tang Clan warriors make and use poisons?”

“Just because someone wields a sword doesn’t mean they know how to forge one. Even if you understand poisons, creating a new one is an entirely different skill.”

“Indeed! So Tang Jeong wasn’t just a master of poison techniques, but had deep knowledge of poison itself.”

“Tang Jeong was truly a remarkable warrior. The cunning to secretly administer two poisons without the Lecher noticing, and then activate the third one to trigger symptoms at just the right time—his poison arts were at their absolute peak.”

“Hearing that from the Tang Clan warriors makes me realize again just how amazing Storm of the Tang Clan really is!”

“They said it was the first time even in the Tang Clan that a novel depicted poison arts with such depth and flair. Nothing but praise.”

Well, that’s because I incorporated expert feedback into the writing.

“A novel praised by the Tang Clan themselves!”

“We also admired how Storm of the Tang Clan portrayed the poison arts in such a profound light.”

“Haha. Even within the Tang Clan, hopes are high for Storm of the Tang Clan to spread the Tang Clan’s name far and wide.”

“Truly!”

It’s always more fun when experts praise a story you already love. The area where the Tang Clan warriors sat quickly became packed with Daseogak Literary Society members.

After one round of explanations from the Tang warriors, one member of the Literary Society brought up a very awkward question.

“But who do the Tang Clan warriors think is the main wife?”

“......”

Why are you all looking at me?

The Tang Clan warriors fell silent and turned their gaze toward me, making it obvious something was up. Cut it out—you’re making it look weird. Look somewhere else.

“Surely you don’t mean to say, just because you’re from Sichuan, that the Most Beautiful Woman in Sichuan, Gu Suk-jeong, is the main wife?”

Im Ha-yeon. Why are your eyes burning at the mere mention of the term “main wife” instead of doing your job?

She leaned forward, eyes blazing, glaring toward the Literary Society side like she was ready to charge.

So who do the Tang Clan warriors consider the main wife?

When I subtly gestured with my expression to handle it themselves, the Tang warriors finally ended the awkward silence and began to speak.

“There are several factions even within the Tang Clan.”

“Even in the Tang Clan?”

“Gu Suk-jeong, the Most Beautiful Woman in Sichuan, and Du Eung-hyang, the Top Courtesan of Hubei—both are incredibly charming women. Plus, there’s a small number who believe the woman appearing in the next volume is the true main wife.”

“What did you say?”

Im Ha-yeon muttered from behind the counter, eyes wide. Hey. Why don’t you just officially join the Literary Society already?

I’ll write your resignation letter for you.

“Surely there’s still a majority, right? Here in the Literary Society, the Sichuan faction held a slight lead, but recently the Hubei Courtesan Faction produced a monstrous new recruit, and we’re starting to feel a little anxious.”

“How can someone still be pushing Du Eung-hyang as the main wife right now...”

“You.”

Dang-Pae, now irritated, grabbed the shoulder of one of the Tang warriors and turned toward me.

“Ah... I apologize.”

The warrior quickly bowed twice, once to Dang-Pae, once to me.

What’s going on? The Literary Society members looked back and forth between us with puzzled eyes. This is way too obvious.

I let out a quiet sigh and looked at Dang-Pae. Your mess, you fix it.

Dang-Pae seemed to understand and gave a small nod before addressing the Literary Society.

“Ahem! As someone from the Tang Clan, I believe it’s inappropriate to express personal opinions about the main wife debate within the Daseogak Literary Society. It could reflect poorly on Author Ho-pil.”

No comment. A wise response.

The Tang Clan Lord may have married a beautiful fiancée, but the owner of Daseogak is Hyang-ah’s son—makes it hard to openly discuss.

Of course, Storm of the Tang Clan is fiction inspired by real events, not a direct reflection of reality, but it’s understandable that the Tang Clan members feel awkward about it.

“Indeed!”

“Besides, Tang Jeong isn’t just some ordinary chivalrous hero. It wouldn’t be strange for a man of his caliber to have several women.”

“Yes. He’ll love them all equally like they were his official wives!”

When I left for Yichang, I publicly confirmed that no matter the ending, he’d accept all the women.

Different from actual history, of course.

“Exactly! A responsible man like Tang Jeong wouldn’t abandon a single one of his women, no matter how many there are!”

“Y-Yes, that’s right.”

Why do you look so guilty while peeking at me? Tang Jeong’s not the Tang Clan Lord.

“Hmph! Still, I suppose the Tang Clan does have some sense.”

Im Ha-yeon, half-satisfied with the Tang members’ response, smiled faintly and nodded.

“Indeed, since your words carry weight in the Tang Clan, I think that’s the right attitude to take.”

“Of course, the main wife is still Lady Du Eung-hyang.”

And with the proud air of someone asserting heliocentrism in a crowd of geocentrists, Im Ha-yeon muttered to herself and returned to her work.

------------

News of Storm of the Tang Clan Volume 3’s release, the appearance of Tang Clan members, and even the cheongsam.

“What? The Tang Clan warriors are participating in the Daseogak Literary Society? I need to make time to stop by Daseogak today!”

“Did you hear? You can talk directly with Tang Clan warriors about Storm of the Tang Clan at Daseogak!”

The promotional effect was undeniable.

“Why are Daseogak’s staff dressed like that?”

“They say it’s called a ‘cheongsam’.”

“It reveals the woman’s figure completely, yet without showing skin. Modest, but seductive!”

“And not just that! When she puts on an apron over it, they call that ‘maid look’! Doesn’t she look just like the ideal wife and mother?”

“Good heavens...”

“There’s an open seat at the Literary Society table where a Tang Clan warrior is sitting. I’m going first!”

“Hey, you!”

A flood of customers day after day, the printing press running nonstop, and a bustling Daseogak. When you're buried in work like that, a week passes in the blink of an eye.

And so, time passed—and at last, the much-awaited release day for Storm of the Tang Clan Volume 3 arrived.

“Good Lord.”

“Wow... that’s... are those people?”

When I opened the door, what I saw was a line stretching endlessly.

The Daseogak staff stared at the queue with weary faces and murmured.

“Wait! Scholar Hwang! You stayed up all night again, didn’t you?”

At the very front of the Storm of the Tang Clan Volume 3 line stood the members of the Daseogak Literary Society once again.

“Hahaha.”

“This time, I came too.”

A familiar face peeked out from behind Scholar Hwang. A welcome face who had helped me at the Literary Association.

“So Scholar Hwang’s younger brother is here too.”

To think two brothers stayed up all night to buy a colorful chivalry novel. It’s touching since it’s my book, but I really hope the Hwang family has a third son.

“These guys rolled out their sleeping bags the moment Daseogak closed yesterday!”

“Hahaha.”

The Literary Society members clicked their tongues at the Hwang brothers in awe.

“Come inside. Sales for Storm of the Tang Clan Volume 3 will now begin!”

I activated the Soyoon Mental Resonance Technique and declared Daseogak’s opening toward the endlessly growing line.

“Daseogak is open!”

“Storm of the Tang Clan is mine! Out of the way!”

“Hey!!!! Anyone who causes a disturbance—no matter when you came—will be thrown out!”

As expected of the Tang Clan warriors. Reliable.

When the Tang warriors standing at the door glared like tigers, even the most irate customers quieted down like docile sheep.

As the brief chaos disappeared, Scholar ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) Hwang stepped up to the front of the line for Storm of the Tang Clan Volume 3.

Just buy it already. Why’re you pausing?

“So much has happened. A novel born in Yichang nearly met its end due to injustice and tyranny.”

He gazed at Volume 3 like it was a sacred relic and continued.

“I was terrified I might never get to read Volume 3 of Storm of the Tang Clan!”

“I’ve been praying for months!”

“Sniff...! I prayed for Manager Kang’s return! And for Author Ho-pil not to retire!”

The members of the Literary Society couldn’t hide their overwhelming emotion as they recalled all their hardships.

I’m the one who went through all the hell, and they’re making it sound like they did everything.

“After enduring all that, we now stand before Volume 3 of Storm of the Tang Clan.”

Scholar Hwang approached the book with eyes as tender as if gazing at a lover.

“This Volume 3 is proof that no matter the trial or hardship, a person can rise again. It is a tribute to the human spirit that if you desire something desperately enough, you will achieve it!”

“Today, we witness the third appearance of the new-age chivalrous hero, Tang Jeong!”

“It’s like the book is glowing! Is this the Eastern Fist of the Sun technique?”

“Now I can die without regret!”

“You fool! You have to read it before you die! M-My heart’s already trembling.”

“I’m trembling... down there, just thinking about the two heroines!”

“......”

“There are other customers waiting too.”

Your preface is way too long. Please think about the people behind you.

When I urged him along, Scholar Hwang picked up Volume 3 and approached me, bowing deeply.

“Young Master Kang. Welcome back. Truly, thank you.”

If they’re going to overreact this much, it’s hard not to be happy as an author.

“Thank you for waiting.”

It really was a long journey. For the ones returning, and the ones who waited. Everyone must’ve had their share of struggle.

As Ho-pil and manager of Daseogak, I bowed respectfully toward the Literary Society.

“One copy for preservation, one for reading, one for missionary work—please ring up three.”

“Sales are limited to one copy per person this time.”

“Agh... how could this be.”

Release day for Storm of the Tang Clan Volume 3.

Daseogak had to extend its hours past sunset and deep into the night due to the flood of customers.

That day’s sales—even including Baekga Bookstore—easily surpassed the record set by the release of Volume 2, which had stood as the highest in decades.

**********

“Young Masters! Where on earth have you been all night?”

The two giants of the Literary Society—Scholar Hwang and his younger brother—hurried home with stiff steps.

“Brother.”

Scholar Hwang’s younger brother held Storm of the Tang Clan Volume 3 close like it was a priceless treasure and looked at his brother.

“Brother.”

Scholar Hwang himself clutched Volume 3 as if it were more precious than the certificate from when he passed the preliminary civil service exam.

“Young Masters? What’s going on?”

Both of them had stayed out all night and were now facing each other with strange books in hand. The servant couldn’t make sense of the scene.

“You’ve endured much.”

“No, you are the one who endured the most, brother.”

“Just the thought that Manager Kang returned and I can now read Volume 3 of Storm of the Tang Clan—it feels like a dream.”

“My heart is pounding so hard I can barely contain it.”

“Once I go into my room, I don’t plan on coming out for half a day.”

“Hah. Only half a day? I don’t plan to come out for an entire day.”

“Half a day means I’ll read, savor, then sleep, and savor it again in my dreams.”

“Then let us not speak to each other about our impressions for a day. Let’s each quietly savor the book.”

“I agree.”

Like comrades who survived a long war together, Scholar Hwang and his brother looked at each other one last time before heading to their respective rooms.

“Young Masters!”

“Do not call for us! Come back tomorrow!”

Scholar Hwang hurried into his room, clutching Volume 3.

It was Storm of the Tang Clan Volume 3—the long-awaited volume.

Scholar Hwang calmed his trembling heart and carefully turned the cover, making sure not to damage the book.

And inside that long-awaited Volume 3 was indeed a story worthy of all that anticipation.