I’m writing a colored heroic story.
It’s not an adult novel, but when I came to this world, I found that martial arts fiction isn’t very popular. So, I’ve mixed in some romance between men and women to appeal to the masses.
How do I say this?
Of course, I like adult novels, spicy scenes, and colored heroic stories. But it’s a whole different matter to reveal to others that I’m writing them.
Even if adult novels are popular in this world, the writers who create them aren’t completely open about it.
Ho Pil. A barbarian pen name. A barbarian author. The reason my readers don’t find my pen name strange or laugh at it is that many writers who actually write adult novels have weird or funny pen names.
It’s quite common in this world for a poor scholar to write under a pen name for adult novels and never reveal their identity.
Since this was a very common occurrence, I was able to lead a double life as Ho Pil while running the Tea Bookstore.
Aren’t the Tang Family folks too loose-lipped? Although I have to reveal that I’m Ho Pil, did they really have to tell others? We’re both beneficiaries of moral obligation, but there’s no need to disclose my identity.
“I’m writing martial arts stories.”
I skirted around Cheong Un’s question.
“Martial arts stories? Are you perhaps writing about something that happened in the past?”
“No. I’m writing about a heroic journey.”
“A heroic journey, you say?”
What’s with this? Cheong Un suddenly stood up from the bed, looking at me in surprise.
“Yes. I’m writing a novel about heroes from the righteous sect.”
“Are you perhaps writing about the Nine Great Sects & One Alliance? Like, for instance, a protagonist from the Mount Wu?”
Cheong Un gazed at me expectantly.
“No. I’m writing about a protagonist from the Sichuan Tang Family.”
“Ah… The Sichuan Tang Family?”
Cheong Un sat back down on the bed with a look of sudden disappointment. I guess they thought I was going to write about their own sect.
Well, when you think of heroes in martial arts, it’s got to be Mount Wu. From the Seven Heroes of Mount Wu to the Magic Sword of Mount Wu and the Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes, there are quite a few.
“By the way, what’s your pen name?”
Cheong Un asked cautiously, trying to hide their disappointment. Should I tell? I was a bit reluctant, but I can’t lie to someone who’s been a benefactor under moral obligation.
“It’s Ho Pil. I have a small reputation in Yichang.”
I’m not the Lord of Adult Novels, but I’m somewhat of a notable author. I sneakily appended that bit of explanation.
“Ah… I see.”
You haven’t heard of me, huh? Cheong Un looked somewhat disappointed, as if they expected me to be a famous detective but had never heard of this detective at all.
It’s understandable. Even though it’s the same Hubei Province, Mount Wu and Yichang are as far apart as Seoul and Busan.
“Haha. I feel embarrassed having bragged when you haven’t even heard of my reputation.”
Thank goodness. If you don’t know what kind of novel it is, it works in my favor. I pretended to be humble, though I felt no shame.
“No, no. I heard that you’re gaining popularity with your martial arts stories in Yichang. You should be proud. Typically, martial arts stories don’t have great popularity, so they often end up stuffed away in some forgotten corner of libraries. It’s always been a pain to see that.”
“Haha. Indeed, martial arts stories aren’t very popular.”
A bitter memory of failure surfaced momentarily.
“Yes. The more you chew on it, the more readable those books are. Even the disciples often choose to read other popular books in secret, ignoring what should be exemplary.”
Do young Taoists also read adult novels? Such rascal Taoist boys!
“Haha. But young ones are just kids with strong cravings. It’s only natural.”
“How embarrassing.”
Cheong Un bowed their head, as if feeling guilty for inadvertently speaking ill of the sect.
“I see you enjoy martial arts stories, Little Hero.”
So martial arts fiction fan, huh? I asked with a delighted expression.
“If you step into martial arts, you must understand heroes. You could gain such teachings from sutras and ancient texts, but through stories, you can obtain both pleasure and lessons, so how could one not read? If only the disciples knew such enjoyment, they often discard valuable books that talk of heroes.”
“Haha, perhaps over time, you’d look through books like the ones you read. Surely, even you, Taoist Master, don’t dislike their allure, right?”
Just because they’re fiery youths, they wouldn’t look at adult novels all day long.
“I do not read books that impede my training.”
Cheong Un shook his head firmly.
Ooooh. A genuine Taoist Master who avoids sensuality. If they go that far, must one be idealistic to embark on a hero’s journey? This character seems like someone torn out of a martial arts novel, not a visual novel.
“Seems I’ve committed a breach with my comments toward you, Taoist Master.”
I apologized for my impolite remark, inadvertently made.
“No, it’s nothing. But wow, a novel about heroes… Looking at the expressions of the Tang Family fellows, it seems you’re writing quite an interesting story. How fascinating! I’ve read many novels, but I’ve never heard of one being so popular.”
Cheong Un spoke as if surprised, akin to a dedicated fantasy genre fan hearing about a web fiction that topped the charts.
“I have a small knack that allowed me to stir the hearts of several. And not just one book.”
I replied, wearing a proud expression.
“Eh?”
“By chance, the response to the first volume was good, and I successfully released the second one.”
“Oh… A fun novel not just for one volume, but two…? Ha…”
Cheong Un sighed with a strangely bittersweet expression, as if grappling with something distressing.
“Is there something troubling you?”
“I spaced out for a moment. So you’re currently on pause with writing due to your friend’s predicament, right?”
“Yes. However, once my friend’s issue is resolved, I plan to publish the third volume.”
However I resolve the matter with the Tang Family, the third volume of The Rise of the Tang Family will be released.
“Despite your friend’s issue, you’re already thinking about the next volume. Truly, you’re full of responsibility.”
“Haha! When you sell books, of course, you should take responsibility.”
“That’s right. A writer who writes stories should think about concluding them. It’s not just one volume; it would be exceedingly irresponsible to write just one and toss it aside.”
Cheong Un’s expression grew slightly ominous. What’s with that?
“That’s correct. Haha.”
“Indeed! A writer must be responsible. An irresponsible writer is dried up. If they don’t at least leave a note of where they’re based, one can attempt to visit. Yet they cowardly refuse to properly pen down their name!”
Cheong Un murmured with an air of resentment, without taking a breath.
“Uh, Little Hero?”
What’s going on? Why the sudden outburst?
“Oh…! I’m sorry. I showed a shameful side of myself.”
Suddenly, Cheong Un escaped their outburst, lowering their head in embarrassment at my call.
“Haha. Sounds like you’ve faced a lot of underhanded remarks. I can understand.”
Did I touch on a trauma? If someone had never experienced it, they would’ve been surprised, but I get it.
“You understand?”
Cheong Un asked with a look of surprise.
“Yes. Before I became a writer, I was a reader too, wasn’t I? How many times have I wished to lock away a delightful novelist in a cave, feeding them only dumplings until they wrote?”
Seems they truly love books. I understand; Cheong Un’s outburst was probably unintended.
Desiring to reduce the suddenly awkward and heavy atmosphere, I threw in a light joke.
“That’s just not enough.”
Apparently, the recipient didn’t take my joke lightly.
“Eh?”
“The sin of stirring the hearts of readers and then disappearing is too immense to express. You should confine them in the training hall and only grant proper meals once they complete an entire volume!”
Cheong Un seemed as if they would grab an absent novelist by the collar and toss them into a cave from the way their fingers twitched.
“Hahaha…”
I could only awkwardly laugh. Whoever it is, that author must struggle to live if they managed to cross paths with this hero.
Awkwardness resulted as Cheong Un remained silent, possibly embarrassed after their sudden outburst.
“Honestly, I thought heroes were figments of dreams. But meeting a true hero like you, Little Hero, while wearing moral obligation, feels like a dream.”
To alleviate the atmosphere, I complimented Cheong Un once more.
“You’re too kind. Anyone else in that situation would have done just as I did.”
“Too kind, you say? Though I’ve been here a while, I’ve yet to find anyone like a hero. How desperate must someone like me have been to write with hopes of seeing a hero like you?”
I heard they ventured into the mountains to search for missing persons. It means that if Cheong Un weren’t a hero, they wouldn’t have been there. I can’t compliment them enough.
“I too left to fulfill my dream of becoming a hero.”
Cheong Un adjusted their posture, facing me earnestly.
“Must have been a hard decision for you, truly impressive.”
“Of course, I’m not the only one who made such a decision. Master Kang could have written ordinary side stories, yet he chose to write of heroes. We both dreamed of being heroes; one with a sword, and the other with a pen. You’re just making me blush too much.”
What a nice compliment. However, I can’t admit that I’m actually writing a colored heroic story in this situation.
“With you saying that, I feel embarrassed. May I ask what sort of heroic journey you’ve had?”
“I haven’t been out in the martial arts world for long, so I don’t have much to tell.”
Well, they’re not saying they don’t want to share.
Cheong Un feigned modesty but kept glancing my way, their lips twitching. You want to share, don’t you? A heroic journey is something you’d want to boast about.
“I’d really love to hear it. It might provide inspiration for my writing. If you don’t mind sharing, that is.”
“I’m not very eloquent…”
“No matter what you say, I will listen quietly.”
As I took a listening posture, Cheong Un let out a small sigh and their eyes lit up.
Little journeys that commenced after leaving Mount Wu. As Cheong Un shyly began speaking, their face soon glowed with enthusiasm.
——————–
“Looks like I’ve held on for too long.”
Did Cheong Un realize my eyelids were beginning to feel heavy? With a hint of disappointment, Cheong Un said to me.
“No, I want to hear more, but unfortunately my stamina is lacking.”
“Then, you should sleep a bit.”
“Yes. I’ll still have chances to hear stories. Just knowing that a hero like Cheong Un exists in some corner of the Central Plains is enough consolation for me to sleep.”
I smiled at Cheong Un, reminiscent of a person who found their dream star, and began to tidy up the bedding.
“….”
“Little Hero?”
Why are you just staring off into space? I called out to Cheong Un, who appeared to be lost in thought right before I lay down on the bed.
“No, no!!”
Cheong Un suddenly darted toward the door with a look of surprise at my calling.
“Where are you going, Little Hero?”
“You sleep first. I’ll keep watch for a bit and then I’ll rest.”
What’s up with them?
I thought to suggest they join me since I’m not the kind of person to impose such duty on others; I went to bed with a small question in my mind.
*
Cheong Un stepped outside the inn for a breath of fresh air. The cold wind brushed by their heated face.
“Hey, you should take this with you!”
“No way!”
As Cheong Un walked around, they spotted some Tang Family warriors burning trash.
“What’s going on?”
“Cheong Un! It’s nothing serious. One of our fallen comrades cherished this book, but now this guy refuses to get rid of it!”
“Isn’t it a bit much to call this a memento? Just burn it.”
“Why would you burn a book that has the signature of Ho Pil, the author?”
“I’m sad too, but we need to lighten the load!”
Cheong Un recognized the name from just a moment before, the pen name of the very author they’d been hearing about.
“Ho Pil, you said? You’re talking about Master Kang’s book, right?”
“Ah! If you haven’t read it, would you take it? Little Hero?”
“Yes. I’ll be taking it.”
“It’s something our departed friend would be glad about if you took it.”
The guard unit member hurriedly handed over the book that belonged to their fallen comrade.
A popular book from Yichang. What could it be about since Master Kang wrote a book on heroes?
Cheong Un took the book, gazing intently at the cover, and then began to read the written words.
“Ho Pil. The Rise of the Tang Family?”
