The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel-Chapter 239: Bidding - 2

“Isn’t the owner of Daseogak a young lady with the family name Tang?”

We moved our conversation with the two men from Ten-Thousand Gold Bookstore to a teahouse.

“I’m engaged to Hwarin. While she’s staying at the Tang household to recuperate, I’ve been entrusted with managing Daseogak in her stead.”

“I see.”

“What?! That black-haired guy is the fiancé of Baek Family’s granddaughter?!”

The thug Jeon Gil-san still looked like he couldn’t believe it, scanning me up and down with a ridiculous expression.

This is exactly why racists are a problem. Even someone with black hair can be engaged to the Baek Clan’s only granddaughter, the poison master of the Tang Clan, and a woman with ‘Beyond-Central-Plains’ level proportions.

“You’re asking me to arrange a meeting with Ho-pil? What’s this about?”

I kept my face blank, hiding my thoughts, and stared coldly at Jeon Gil-san as I asked.

Maybe my attitude made him realize I wasn’t lying—he clicked his tongue and finally revealed the reason he came to Daseogak.

“Fine. I’ll just say it straight. We want to recruit Ho-pil to Ten-Thousand Gold Bookstore.”

“You want to bring Ho-pil to your bookstore?”

“Yes. Are you aware that any books published by the Baek family’s bookstore can’t be printed in Wuchang unless Ten-Thousand Gold Bookstore gives permission?”

The man who looked like Jeon Gil-san’s assistant continued the conversation with an awkward smile.

He looked like a scheming underling serving a corrupt magistrate, and he acted the part, too.

“I’ve heard of Ten-Thousand Gold Bookstore’s reputation, but that’s news to me.”

“Elder Jang, the head of the Ten-Thousand Gold Merchant Guild, has long helped protect the rights of his close friend, the head of the Baek Clan. It’s a practice we’ve maintained for decades.”

“I see. That explains it.”

Daseogak’s exclusive rights to Storm of the Tang Clan might be a matter of business ethics, but only within Yichang. If the novel is printed elsewhere, there’s nothing I can do.

Given that the Baek Clan has long supported writers, I suppose Ten-Thousand Gold has been upholding those ethics for their sake.

“We had already heard the Baek family’s granddaughter was managing Daseogak. But recently, we happened to acquire a truly extraordinary book published by Daseogak.”

The assistant pulled out a very familiar book from his sleeve.

“So Storm of the Tang Clan made it all the way to Wuchang.”

“It’s truly exceptional. Even our most veteran clerks, with decades in the business, said it was the first time they’d seen such a novel.”

“So that’s why you want to recruit Ho-pil.”

A headhunting offer, huh. With the power Ten-Thousand Gold has, they could’ve just ignored business ethics and printed the book themselves. But of all things, Storm of the Tang Clan happens to be from Daseogak.

Even Ten-Thousand Gold couldn’t ignore the long-standing friendship between Elder Jang and the Baek Clan head.

“We know this may not be welcome news to Daseogak. But Ho-pil is far too talented to be confined to the small pond that is Yichang.”

Yeah, I know I’ve got to play on a national stage, too.

“Ho-pil is a writer I’ve supported with everything I have.”

I’ve given him all the profits from Daseogak, shared good food with him when he was hungry—and now you want to take him? These bastards aren’t just thugs. They’re straight-up looters.

“We understand. That’s why we’d like to compensate Daseogak with this amount if Ho-pil joins Ten-Thousand Gold.”

The assistant held up a slip showing an eye-popping sum.

“Hm.”

What the hell? I almost lost control of my expression.

Did I read that right? Is my vision working?

It wasn’t just enough to buy a printing press—it was enough to buy several printing presses, combine them into a mecha, fight a final boss, then call in another printing press robot for backup... and still have money left over.

If anything, I might need to learn shadow cloning. These weren’t thugs—they were upstanding businessmen who respected proper commerce.

No. Get a grip. That’s money I can’t spend anyway.

There’s no way I’d work under scum like this.

“We’d be willing to compensate you even just for arranging a meeting with Ho-pil.”

“How much for just that?”

“Would this suffice?”

That’s a decent amount. If I can’t do shadow clones, maybe I should wear a mask and sneak into the meeting?

“Ahem. I understand why you came. But before we go further, there’s a matter we need to resolve first, don’t you think?”

I barely managed to suppress my urge to film a hidden-identity episode of Masked Author: Ho-pil Edition, and looked over at Jeon Gil-san with narrowed eyes.

If we’re going to talk contracts, we need to clear up past grievances. You tried to beat me up, and now you want to pretend that never happened?

“...Tch.”

Jeon Gil-san crossed his arms and looked away, unfazed by my glare.

“Haha. The young master is... a bit shy when it comes to these matters. Surely we can set aside personal feelings for the greater good?”

If that’s what they call ‘shy,’ then maybe we should all give up on men altogether. What kind of nonsense is this?

“You have a point. But before working together on something important, it’s standard practice to assess your partner’s character.”

“Haha... Also fair...”

The assistant looked nervously at the brat, clearly uneasy.

“I was only doing Ten-Thousand Gold Bookstore’s business. And you want me to apologize to someone who got in the way of it?”

Jeon Gil-san barked indignantly, throwing a tantrum at his own underling.

“Young master. You need to consider your future.”

The assistant pleaded with him, his tone urgent.

Jeon Gil-san finally looked at me with a reluctant face and spoke.

“Tch... Fine. I—”

“That’s enough for today.”

I stood up before he could spit out the apology.

“What?”

“It seems neither of us are in a place to resolve this right now. These aren’t matters to be settled in a day. I’ll be in touch another time.”

You clearly weren’t going to apologize sincerely, and I wasn’t going to accept it anyway.

I need some time to think this over. We’ll talk again later.

Leaving the dumbfounded pair behind, I walked out of the teahouse.

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

“You want to know more about Ten-Thousand Gold Bookstore and Jeon Gil-san?”

I left the teahouse and headed to the local bookstore run by Yichang’s representative.

“With Daseogak in the picture, I figured I should be informed.”

“Not much to add beyond what I told you earlier. Ten-Thousand Merchant Guild started with moneylending and became a major force in the Central Plains. Their bookstore’s just one branch of their business. As for Jeon Gil-san, well, you saw him—just a lazy glutton.”

“Then why did a glutton like him crawl all the way to Yichang?”

“Well, there’s a succession issue in the Merchant Guild.”

That caught me off guard.

“What do you mean?”

“The Merchant Guild head’s only son died young without children. He has several daughters, but only one son—so all that wealth is now up for grabs.”

“Which means it’ll go to the grandsons.”

“Exactly. That’s why that lazy bastard is suddenly out and about pretending to work.”

Just like some northern pig firing missiles to earn favor in a power struggle, he’s out here trying to rack up achievements.

Snagging a crucial printing press at a low price and recruiting a rising author like Ho-pil would definitely earn him bragging rights.

“What did Jeon Gil-san say, though? Told you not to bid on the press?”

“He said they want to recruit Ho-pil.”

I shrugged like it was nothing.

“What?! That’s huge!”

“Why? What could possibly go wrong?”

“You’re seriously asking that? You know how many bookstore owners have said exactly what you just did? Ten-Thousand Gold waves cash around and takes whatever they want—money, women, writers. You think Ho-pil will stay loyal to you?”

“He will.”

I answered without hesitation.

“What kind of friend do you think Ho-pil is? He’s always been there—when I was happy, when I was sad, when I was in pain. Even during the rarest moments of my life, he was there.”

“You must be soulmates, then. Not even a trace of hesitation. Well, good luck. That’s all I can tell you.”

The bookstore owner clicked his tongue in admiration, then disappeared back into the shop with a feather duster.

“A recruitment offer for Ho-pil, huh.”

Of course I planned to refuse.

Since targeting heroines requires both money and reputation, I had no intention of giving up my business.

The real problem was the printing press bid.

You could argue the recruitment pitch was just testing the waters, but considering they’ve already threatened nearby merchants, there’s no way they’re backing down from the bid.

‘I should avoid asking the Tang Clan for help.’

I’d rather stay unentangled with the Tang Clan of Sichuan.

And it’s not like I was physically attacked. Whining to the Tang Clan for help just because I was threatened would be pathetic.

‘Even using Ho-pil... I need to be careful.’

If I rely on that too often for trivial things, it’ll lose its impact when I really need it.

‘Even if I do use those methods to push Ten-Thousand Gold back, it could cause more problems.’

Other parties interested in the printing press might flood in again and reopen bidding. Even if Jeon Gil-san backs off, someone else from the Ten-Thousand Merchant Guild could show up and claim it.

‘But if I can make it a one-on-one bidding war between Jeon Gil-san and me, that changes everything.’

This isn’t an auction; it’s a sealed bid system where the highest offer wins.

If I can just manage Ten-Thousand Gold somehow, I might be able to snag the press at a dirt-cheap price.

The bastard child of the Tang Clan and the secret identity of author Ho-pil—

Was there a way to beat Ten-Thousand Gold as Kang Yun-ho, without using either?

“Of course there is.”

I had a method I could use as Kang Yun-ho.

----------

“Why do you keep dragging me along?”

I brought Im Ha-yeon with me as I headed to meet the Ten-Thousand Gold folks again at the tea house.

“You’re the only one I can trust.”

And also the only halfway decent muscle I’ve got.

“Ugh... Could you be any more shameless?”

Im Ha-yeon scrunched her brows in disgust.

Seriously, can’t you just be happy someone trusts you?

“Let’s go in.”

“...That guy, really?”

What do you mean “that guy”? Stop complaining and follow me.

“Have you finally decided to negotiate?”

The sleazy duo from Ten-Thousand Gold greeted us as soon as we entered the tea house.

“Before we talk business, there’s something else we need to handle.” 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

“Haha. That would be... Young Master?”

“Tch. Fine, I apol—”

“That’s not it.”

“Huh?”

“What kind of # Nоvеlight # men apologize for something like this? Petty misunderstandings and hurt feelings don’t need words—they need something else.”

I exaggerated my gestures deliberately as I spoke.

“Something else?”

“I’ve heard Master Jeon Gil-san has a fine appreciation for pleasure and refinement. As a foreigner, I know little of such things—would you teach me?”

As always, emotions are best handled with drinks. I used the kind of language those refined young masters eat up.

Jeon Gil-san’s face stiffened for a moment—then lit up with a grin.

“Haha! Yes, that’s how a man should be! Men shouldn’t blush over crap like this!”

“Yes. Looking back, I guess I was a little shy.”

“I get it! I get it! Shall we go now?”

He’s too dumb to even realize I’m mocking him.

“Drinking by daylight is all well and good, but wouldn’t it be better to let the moon be our companion as we discuss the fleeting world?”

“Great. I’ll see you tonight, then! Looking forward to it.”

“As am I.”

As we stepped outside the tea house, Im Ha-yeon turned to me with a shocked expression.

“You’re not seriously going to hand over Ho-pil, are you?”

“Of course not. Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“To show that spoiled brat just how harsh the world really is.”

-----------

“You want the bid price info for Ten-Thousand Gold’s printing press offer?”

I headed to the Hao Clan.

“Yes. I need the info to decide how much I should write down.”

“You think the Hao Clan just hands out information? I can tell you about Jeon Gil-san. Lazy. Likes booze. Likes women. Useless. Hot-tempered. Has made such a mess in Wuchang that his family’s losing sleep. I can give you a ton of dirt like that—but not the bid amount.”

“You don’t have that info?”

“What do you think we are, Dongchang’s spy network or Dongying’s ninja corps? We gather intelligence when some poor bastard lets it slip. Then our scattered operatives hear it and report back.”

I already knew that was how the Hao Clan operated.

“Like a gambler can only fleece a sucker once he sits at the table?”

“Exactly. Glad you understand. You think people just go around blurting out important secrets?”

I looked at the local Hao branch leader.

I didn’t need to reveal my background as the Tang Clan’s bastard. I didn’t need to use Ho-pil’s identity either.

Because Kang Yun-ho could still use the Hao Clan’s strength.

“Then let’s get that sucker on the table.”

Like a coachman listening to a passenger’s story, like a server overhearing a customer’s complaints...

“Huh?”

Just get the drunk sucker seated next to a courtesan and he’ll start spilling.

“So forget the intel. Lend me some people instead.”

I’ll put the sucker at the table.

You just clean him out.