“Did you hear? Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family is coming out in a week!”
News that everyone eagerly anticipated spread like wildfire.
“I heard the manager of Tea Bookstore was taken to the Sichuan Tang Family, so I thought Volume 3 wouldn’t be released.”
“This person is way behind on the news! Manager Kang of Tea Bookstore went to the Sichuan Tang Family and got permission!”
“No way! After all that chaos, they actually gave permission?”
“So, why wouldn’t Volume 3 come out?!”
“I can’t believe I’ll get to see Volume 3!”
Even while eating in the tavern or walking down the street, chatter about The Rise of the Tang Family could be heard.
“Manager Kang! Is it true that Volume 3 comes out next week?”
The Tea and Book Club members couldn’t hide their excited faces upon hearing the release news.
“Yes. The printing of Volume 3 is nearly complete, and once the binding is done, it’ll go on sale next week.”
I looked at them with a smile that said I could finally see the finish line after a grueling marathon; I told the Tea and Book Club members the facts.
Finally, the third finish line is in sight. I’ve gone through all sorts of hardships just to get Volume 3 published.
“Ah, it’s Ho Pil… I was about to have a heart attack thinking it was a declaration of your retirement from writing!”
“Ha ha ha. I thought it’d be best if the announcement came from Ho Pil, so I asked him to post it, and that’s what he wrote.”
Ho Pil truly draws attention just like a master. Fishing for attention with a catchy title is critical, right?
“Is it really true that we can see Volume 3?!”
“Volume 3, which even Sichuan Tang Family approved!”
“One week! Let’s just hold on for one week!”
The excitement about Volume 3 spread like wildfire in Tea Bookstore.
——–
“I’ll step out for a moment.”
With the announcement of Volume 3’s impending publication, Tea Bookstore was brimming with energy. I spoke to Im Ha-yeon, who was learning the ropes of management.
“It’s almost lunchtime, where are you going? Huh? What’s in your hand?”
Im Ha-yeon looked at the thick stack of paper in my hand.
“It’s a notice. I’m planning to attach this announcement about Volume 3’s release to the Literary Association bulletin.”
The more ways we advertise, the better. Even if the news about Volume 3 is spreading everywhere, there are always folks who don’t keep their ears to the ground.
As I held up the paper, Im Ha-yeon pursed her lips and stared back and forth between me and the paper.
What’s up? Is there something you don’t like about it?
“…I’ll help you.”
Im Ha-yeon, as if she made a significant decision she didn’t really want to accept, placed her hand on her chest and said.
“It’s okay. If I leave, someone needs to be here, right? Besides, I can just stop by later on my way to the clients.”
You’re in a management position, don’t you think both of us leaving would be a problem?
“It’ll be lunchtime soon, so it’s fine. Plus, if you don’t let me help, you’ll skip lunch again.”
Starting from the barbarian beggars who can’t grab a single dumpling from Kang Yoon-ho, it seems the manager’s success story holds some weight. Since that day, it feels like their attitude towards me has softened a bit.
“Then could you attach the notice for me? With your quick footwork, you can finish it in no time, Ha-yeon.”
Surely with the Shadowless Thief’s light body movement, she could do it quickly. Plus, with Ha-yeon promoting Volume 3, it’ll go smoothly.
The cheongsam she wears will surely catch attention like a black hole while she’s at it.
“…You want me to do it alone?”
Im Ha-yeon squinted at me with one eye.
“There’s no need for two people to attach a notice, right?”
That would just be wasteful labor. Management should be efficient.
“….”
In that instant, Im Ha-yeon’s elegant brows furrowed. Her incredulous gaze pierced through me.
Are you feeling like I’m pushing it on you or what? I’m offering my help, you know?
“Okay, I’ll hold the notice while you quickly attach it. In return, I’ll buy you lunch.”
Well, I guess that’s the end of it.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Ha-yeon!”
Ha So-so grabbed Im Ha-yeon, who was about to leave, and leaned in to whisper in her ear.
“Huh?”
“The tavern is too obvious. Ask him to take you somewhere tastier.”
“That’s not it!”
Im Ha-yeon shouted in disgust and looked at me with fearful eyes.
Right, that’s not it. We’ll just grab a quick meal at a fast, affordable venue and come back.
I shrugged my shoulders and stepped out of Tea Bookstore with the somewhat withdrawn Im Ha-yeon.
———–
“We’re seeing an increase in people we can’t tell if they’re customers or thieves.”
The news of Volume 3’s release didn’t just bring good vibes.
During team time, some employees began discussing the influx of troublesome customers as soon as they heard about Volume 3.
“I’ll pay extra, can’t you sell me a copy in advance?”
“No way! If it’s said to be released in a week, doesn’t that mean there’s already a finished book? How’s asking to buy it early a crime?!”
“You can’t get close to the printing house.”
“I was just curious about how books are printed! Are you mad at the customers right now?”
Prior marketing is essential before sales. Whether it’s a book or a game, the initial weeks after a new release usually see the highest sales.
We need to raise anticipation to the max, promote briefly and swiftly, then release. The plan is solid, but with the hype building, all kinds of customers are starting to show up.
“We found signs of tampering around the printing house windows outside Tea Bookstore.”
Now that thieves have struck once, we can’t ignore the risk of them coming again.
Im Ha-yeon raised her hand and informed everyone about the intrusion signs she discovered yesterday.
“Should we stay up all night and guard the place?”
It’s a good suggestion, but… our work-study scholarship students are just writers. In a world where thieves also learn martial arts, if they’re determined to steal, it could actually be dangerous.
“How about selling Volume 3 right away?”
“We need to secure the initial stock first. With the binding still in progress, we will sell it on the scheduled date.”
Initial stock must be adequate to accommodate all the anticipation.
If it sells out too quickly, there could be backlash, illegal reproductions or complaints that will hurt sales.
“So what should we do? Should we report any troublesome customers straight to Ha-yeon?”
“That’s a good idea, but there’s another way.”
I spoke with an air of confidence to the gathered staff.
“What kind of method?”
Oh, I’ve got a brilliant plan.
It’s a method that ensures only Shadowless Thief level thieves wouldn’t even think about robbing us.
“Master Kang! We’ve arrived!”
“Is it true that Volume 3 is really coming out?”
Robust martial artists appeared at the entrance of Tea Bookstore. The finest guards you’d pay a fortune for.
“Purple hair with green eyes?”
“Sichuan Tang Family!!!”
“Why are the Sichuan Tang Family’s martial artists here at Tea Bookstore?”
“Let me introduce them. They will be protecting Tea Bookstore for the time being. The martial artists from Sichuan Tang Family.”
Having the Sichuan Tang Family protect The Rise of the Tang Family seems quite fitting, doesn’t it?
————
“Master Kang. You’ve been rejecting our help for a while now, it’s quite disheartening.”
The Deputy Medical Official from the guard unit, my escort back to Yichang, spoke to me with a sad expression.
You look rather well-fed and pampered for someone who’s “disheartened.” I know you were planning to become a permanent resident in Yichang to avoid the Deputy Medical Official’s bullies.
“I didn’t want to be a burden. Plus, I need to help the staff transition into their roles.”
I need to maintain a distance from the Sichuan Tang Family. Whether for my life or political reasons, continually relying on them wouldn’t be right.
“I heard a rumor about a thief breaking in. We will stay at Tea Bookstore for now and keep a tight watch.”
The Deputy Medical Official and the martial artists from the Tang Family looked at me seriously, like they were trying to protect the Tang Family’s secrets.
“I hope I’m not making you go through too much trouble.”
I put on an expression like a friend who feels guilty asking his lawyer, accountant, and corporate friends to help him move their stuff on off days.
Of course, I’ll still have them do it, though.
“How could you say such a thing? This is Master Kang’s Tea Bookstore! And we’re guarding the release of The Rise of the Tang Family Volume 3!”
“With you saying that, I feel like a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders.”
I instantly dropped the minor load in my mind like it was an air balloon.
“Haha. I was racking my brain about how to report back on what I did once I reached Yichang, but I’m glad I can contribute to the release of Volume 3.”
“When we return to the Sichuan Tang Family, I’ll make sure to bring plenty of copies of Volume 3, so please take care of us.”
“Please REASSURE yourself!”
With their spirited voices, the martial artists from the Tang Family began positioning themselves as guards at Tea Bookstore.
“How about selling Volume 3 a bit early…”
“What’s that?”
“No, why are the martial artists from Tang Family here?”
“You think you can sell it early when even the Sichuan Tang Family is waiting for the release day?”
“I’m so sorry!”
“Who do you think you are trying to enter here when you’re not even an employee?”
The security of the Tang Family works wonders. Even customers with anger management issues have turned into model patrons.
And having martial artists from the Tang Family stationed here did more than just eliminate troublesome customers and concerns over thieves.
“Purple hair and green eyes? What in the world? Why are Sichuan Tang Family’s martial artists here?”
“The Sichuan Tang Family is protecting The Rise of the Tang Family?”
“If the Tang Family is guarding The Rise of the Tang Family, then that means it’s an official Sichuan Tang Family novel!”
“How good could this Volume 3 be for them to come out themselves?!”
The Sichuan Tang Family protecting The Rise of the Tang Family.
There’s probably no event more beneficial for publicity than this.
Moreover, the chaos caused a rush of customers to The Rise of the Tang Family and Tea Bookstore.
“What business do the Tang Family’s martial artists have at the Tea and Book Club?”
“Can we participate in the Tea and Book Club too?”
