Contest.
A gateway for new authors and a battleground for those confident in their writing to showcase their skills and compete for awards.
If the contest itself is famous, simply winning it can bring both a cash prize and honor, which can lead to tremendous promotion for future serialization.
It’s a gateway worth challenging for anyone truly confident in their writing.
“Does the Yichang Literary Association hold events for new authors?”
Listening to the stories of the Hwang brothers, it seems that the Yichang Literary Association is holding a contest for new authors.
I thought the literary association was just a gathering for scholars to enjoy reading, poetry, painting, and drinking together.
“The chairperson of the Yichang Literary Association is a highly respected scholar who has even advised the emperor. After returning to his hometown, he’s been establishing the literary association and regularly discovering impoverished authors hidden away.”
“That’s quite a meaningful endeavor.”
It’s common in Joseon for high-ranking officials to return to their hometowns and teach students after retiring from public office.
It seems this chairperson is also searching for talented writers like me.
“Yes. The events of the Yichang Literary Association are well-known not only in Yichang but also in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province, and surrounding cities.”
It must be an incredibly famous event then.
As contests themselves are rare in this world, having a judge who is a retired high-ranking official must certainly add to its authority.
“Are you inviting me to be a judge for such a meaningful event?”
“Yes. We would like to invite Mr. Kang Yoon-ho to the upcoming event.”
“But I’m not affiliated with the Yichang Literary Association.”
“Normally only members can judge, but this time we specially want to invite you, Mr. Kang Yoon-ho.”
“What is the reason for inviting me to an event organized by the literary association?”
“While for us literary folks, the artistic quality or literary value of a piece is crucial, for impoverished authors, it’s important to have someone who can evaluate how well their work can sell. There’s no one better to assess that than the manager of the most famous bookstore in Yichang.”
“So, you’re asking me to determine if the works have commercial potential?”
It seems that they want me to serve like a judge for a publishing house or web novel platform’s contest, evaluating the marketability of the works.
“Many members of the literary association have realized their lack of insight into novels due to the rise of the Tang Family. I sincerely hope Mr. Kang Yoon-ho will help us as a judge.”
I understand it’s an honorable position, but I don’t particularly feel eager to accept it.
Let’s take a step back for a moment.
“I feel overwhelmed that a mere bookstore manager would be invited to such a grand event.”
“Please don’t say that! Who discovered the great author Ho Pil? It’s none other than you, Mr. Kang Yoon-ho!”
“I was just lucky. If Ho Pil had knocked on the literary association’s doors, it might have been them who found him.”
“Lucky? If I had judged, the Tang Family’s ‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ wouldn’t have made it past the judging process! There has never been a work among the winners of the literary association that matches the quality of ‘The Rise of the Tang Family’!”
“I appreciate the compliment, but I’m busy preparing to reopen.”
“How can that be?”
Pay me, at least. I thought about saying something as I glanced at the Hwang brothers, looking at me with desperate expressions, but swallowed my words.
It’d be nice to get paid. But they’re supposed to be professionals, and using them for free? Business owners know that time is money, my friend.
It’s an honorable position, so they don’t even mention anything in return.
If I ask for money, they’ll think I’m a greedy person and frown upon me.
‘Without any gains, there’s no reason to be a judge.’
If I become a judge, it’ll take up a lot of my time.
I need to prepare for the reopening of the Tea Bookstore, find staff, and visit suppliers again.
Even if it’s a recognized event in Hubei Province, I just don’t have the time.
No matter how famous it is…
‘Wait a minute… Famous event?’
Suddenly, a good idea crossed my mind.
The most prestigious event in Hubei Province. It’s a well-known event among authors.
Then, there’s bound to be a way to gain something without needing money.
“Then, please do me one favor.”
I proposed to the Hwang brothers in a serious tone.
——————
“What’s with the walnut cake?”
“A friend gifted it to me to celebrate my safe return.”
I didn’t feel like cleaning up right after escaping from a life-threatening situation, so I returned to the Tea Bookstore.
“There’s a lot of walnuts. The red bean paste is tasty, too?”
“Let me try one.”
“Did this come from some fancy pastry shop?”
“I’m going in to rest.”
“Don’t you want some walnut cake? The outside is crispy and the inside is moist—this walnut cake is truly delicious.”
“I had some on the way.”
It really is good.
I watched the staff of the Tang Family sharing the warm walnut cakes, then turned towards the room prepared in the Tea Bookstore.
“What kind of trouble have I endured because of Mr. Wang?”
I mumbled, recalling Mr. Wang from the fabric store in Chilgok County. No, thinking about the former Shadowless Thief made me grumble a little.
He might have given me the Black Token as a favor. Otherwise, there’s no way a person who had gone missing would risk being caught just to give me a Black Token.
Honestly, I wouldn’t have minded if he told me the truth. After all, back in the day, a simple word like “Wingardium Leviosa” would make his subordinates move mountains.
Stories of master thieves rivaling master detectives and turning into walking murder mysteries—it’s a shame I love stories about thieves so much.
“Is Im Ha-yeon the real heroine?”
I thought of the latest Shadowless Thief after reminiscing about the former one.
A woman with pink ponytails. Since she’s a character in a martial arts visual novel, she must be exceptionally beautiful.
It’s tough to tell whether she feels animosity towards me since she glares so fiercely, but when she shows her usual airheadedness, her eyes seem to slightly curve, and with a little smile, she’d look charming like a courtesan.
The blue-green beauty is like an idol performing dances and songs in modern times.
If she became a courtesan, I’d have to reserve the most expensive courtesan house and drop a huge pile of money just to hear a song or see one dance.
“I’ve already formed a connection with Im Ha-yeon.”
I have no idea if she’s the true heroine. Just like when I thought about the poisoner or the Heavenly Killing Star, I couldn’t find anything specific that I needed to treat with my Reverse Heaven’s Decree.
Should I perhaps cure her thievery instincts?
It seems the Reverse Heaven’s Decree does have the power to change a heroine’s fate, but does that mean it has to manifest in the form of incurable illnesses like those faced by the Heavenly Killing Star or the poisoner?
Then what about the original main heroines?
It wouldn’t make sense if it were just a simple disease rather than destiny itself. But I’m not entirely sure. I thought about it deeply but soon gave up.
Since I’ve already made a connection with Im Ha-yeon, there’s no need to worry too much about her. What’s important is the reputation necessary to save the cursed destinies of my women.
I need to get the Tea Bookstore sorted out soon.
I lay my weary body on the bed and closed my eyes.
“Kang Master!”
I heard a voice resembling a rookie soldier trying to wake up a lethargic veteran. Did I sleep too long? The gentle sounds of birds in the morning suggest I probably did.
“What is it?”
“A scholar named Hwang Seong is looking for you.”
He sure came quickly.
——————-
“It seems I arrived too early in the morning.”
At the front of the Seocheon Post Office, I found Hwang Seong’s younger brother standing there. Is he also Hwang Seong?
“I guess you’re still dealing with travel fatigue. Did you come because of the request I made yesterday?”
If he came to decline, I wouldn’t have it. I prepared for a straight answer.
Fortunately, it seems my expectations were pleasantly misplaced.
With a cheerful expression, Hwang Seong’s younger brother nodded and spoke.
“For this upcoming event, we’ve decided on Mr. Kang to be one of the award presenters.”
“That’s wonderful news!”
I exclaimed with joy.
Not only the judges but also to present awards! This was my condition for accepting the position of judge.
‘Ultimately, what matters is reputation.’
Whether in negotiations or writing, everything I do is aimed at increasing my reputation.
The celebrities receiving awards at events may get talked about, but the presenters are also part of the conversation.
If ‘Kang Yoon-ho from the Tea Bookstore’ just became the judge for a new author contest, that would be one thing, but if I show up and present an award, I could make even stronger impressions on everyone.
There’s also one more thing I had asked for in hopes of enhancing my reputation.
“Of course, when the news is announced in the newspaper under the name of the Yichang Literary Association, it will also inform about Mr. Kang Yoon-ho being the judge and presenter.”
Thanks to the rave reviews published in the newspaper, ‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ had soaring sales before.
Once the news is published, my reputation in Yichang will soar almost instantly.
“Thank you.”
“While being an award presenter is indeed a prestigious role, what’s the reason for sharing the news with the newspaper?”
“I need to promote myself more.”
“What do you mean?”
“The owner of the Tea Bookstore, Huari, has moved to the Tang Family. Now that I alone run the Tea Bookstore, it may lead to some inconvenient situations because of the foreign merchants. However, if news spreads that I’ve sat in a prestigious position recognized in Yichang, it could prevent any potential issues in advance.”
Thus, I also need to wash away the rumors of me being a greedy merchant.
“I hadn’t fully understood the inconveniences that might arise from your arrival from a foreign land. My insight was lacking.”
“Not at all.”
“The chairperson wishes to see you. Do you have time now?”
“Let’s go right away.”
I set out with Hwang Seong’s younger brother.
————————
I had seen the face of the chairperson of the Yichang Literary Association before.
It was on the day I almost got dragged into the Tang Family. The chairperson of the literary association had shown up in front of the Tang Family members, warning that if my head was severed, he wouldn’t stay quiet.
At that time, I was so flustered that I couldn’t even thank him properly. I should take this opportunity to express my gratitude.
“That won’t do!”
“Why not?”
As we approached the chairperson’s residence, I heard a familiar voice yelling.
“The application period was until yesterday!”
“That’s absurd! That cannot be true!”
The woman yelled with anger, not caring if others were watching.
Pink ponytails. I quickly recognized the voice and familiar back figure.
“What brings you here?”
“Ugh! Kang Yoon-ho?”
Im Ha-yeon. Why are you here?
