Kang Yoon-ho, the owner of the bookstore that published The Rise of the Tang Family, was taken away.
What in the world is this novel, The Rise of the Tang Family? Why was he dragged away from the Tang Family? It’s possible that the release of The Rise of the Tang Family might be halted.
I should read it now, at least.
A round trip from Yichang to Sichuan takes several months. Looking back, it was a journey where I almost faced death countless times, but now that I’ve returned, I unexpectedly gained tremendous promotional benefits.
In Yichang, there was hardly anyone who hadn’t heard of the novel The Rise of the Tang Family, but even those who deliberately turned a blind eye surrendered and made it a hit.
Not only that. The word-of-mouth began to spread to cities several days away from Yichang.
Those who read The Rise of the Tang Family praised it one after another and hoped for the safe release of the next volume.
For me, it was a few life-and-death months, and for someone else, it was a period of patience waiting for a single book.
Now, Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family has arrived.
And it’s being escorted by the Sichuan Tang Family, no less.
“Don’t cut in line!”
The shout of the Sichuan Tang Family’s martial artist echoed loudly in front of the Tea Bookstore.
“Purple hair with green eyes! Is a martial artist from the Sichuan Tang Family really guarding the Tea Bookstore?”
“I’m telling you, it’s true!”
“Then is it true that someone from the Sichuan Tang Family cried while praising The Rise of the Tang Family?!”
“My friend is a member of the Tea and Book Club and came back saying he heard a Sichuan Tang Family member gushing about The Rise of the Tang Family at the Tea Bookstore!”
“Wow!”
“A book being guarded by the Sichuan Tang Family! Just how entertaining can it be?”
“Right? I want to read it soon! Why isn’t this line getting any shorter?!”
It was the second day of the sales opening for Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family. The line that had been endless since yesterday had now reached a point where its end could not be estimated.
“Squid grilled on hot stones! Butter-roasted corn! We also have puffed rice!”
“Should we get one? Sir! Don’t you have popcorn instead of puffed rice?”
“We have consomme flavor, onion flavor, and caramel flavor. Which one would you like?”
“Consomme flavor! You really know your stuff, man! Give me that!”
“Here you go!”
Word had spread that the line was long during the release of Volumes 1 and 2, so many vendors were there. It was a total blue ocean business.
“I came to buy Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family!”
I was pondering whether to charge for space during the release of Volume 4 or to dive into sales myself when customers kept pouring in.
“Those looking to buy The Rise of the Tang Family can go straight to the counter!”
There wasn’t even enough time to get immersed in enjoyment in front of The Rise of the Tang Family.
Like a knight’s restaurant that sells only one menu to keep the wait short, I directed the customers who came to buy The Rise of the Tang Family straight to the counter for quick purchases.
“Manager! The speed at which books are selling is far outpacing the printing speed!”
“I’ll send more staff to the printing room. Make sure to take lunch breaks in shifts. The printing room cannot rest!”
“Yes! Understood!”
I wanted to buy more printing machines and set up a separate printing house, but printing machines are considered high-end assets and are so expensive that it makes my head spin just thinking about buying one.
In the end, only one old printing machine, passed down from Baekga Bookstore, is working diligently, almost crying out for some respect for the elderly.
I need to earn a lot of money and help the old printing machine retire.
“Kang Manager!”
“Isn’t that the members of the Tea and Book Club?”
They came to me with sad faces. What’s going on? Didn’t they buy everything yesterday?
“Are you prepared this time?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Volume 4! When is it coming out?!”
“Haha, Volume 3 was released just yesterday.”
“Ugh! After waiting for so long, why hasn’t Writer Ho Pil written Volume 4 in advance!”
It’s a lamentable situation. The members of the Tea and Book Club sighed deeply.
You try living while being targeted by those mad scientists from the Demonic Cult to the point of risking your life.
When I finally return, a fresh newbie who carries the blood of the Tang Family should at least learn self-defense. I’ll train you in the full martial arts of the Tang Family. With all this going on, do you think there’s time to write Volume 4?
“Does that mean Volume 4 will only come out if Volume 3 sells well?”
“Of course.”
“Sigh! How long do we have to wait to see Tang Jung in Demonic Cult’s wicked trap!”
“Volume 3 just had to be as fun as expected! Why go and make it even better than expected!”
“At this rate, Writer Ho Pil’s cutting techniques will end up becoming a cutting-edge skill!”
“Writer Ho Pil’s cutting techniques feel like they’re carving out my heart!”
Joy and lamentation. A mixed sigh of despair and happiness escaped from the members of the Tea and Book Club. The response was better than expected, which was nice.
“Hahaha. Volume 3 has to sell out before Volume 4 comes out.”
If it’s fun, buy it again. That’ll help with Kang Yoon-ho’s debts.
“Ugh! Give me one of each. I’ll buy more.”
The Tea and Book Club ultimately bought one of each of The Rise of the Tang Family. This is why devoted readers are important, you see. They don’t just read it once or twice; they buy it for collection, enjoyment, and even to share.
As I surveyed the first floor, which resembled a battlefield, I momentarily went upstairs to catch my breath.
If the first floor was a battlefield, then the second floor was like the dictatorship of martial artists, with one person soaring like a hawk.
“It’s about The Rise of the Tang Family. This time, Tang Jung…”
“Quiet!!! Hush!!!”
Whoa. Is that D-rank hand-sneaking? A pink wind silenced one person’s loose lips.
“Gasp! Im Ha-yeon! What are you doing?”
“Look at the warning sign at the front of the second floor.”
[No discussions about The Rise of the Tang Family for three days following the release.]
“Why can’t we talk about The Rise of the Tang Family at the very base of The Rise of the Tang Family itself?”
“You will keep this a secret, right?”
Wow. She’s smiling but giving off death-eye vibes.
“Ugh… Okay.”
The anger power of a martial artist and a beauty is indeed formidable.
“You’re doing well. Keep it up.”
I complimented Im Ha-yeon with a small smile as she returned to her station.
I have an eye for talent.
I’m tentatively assigning a few people to managerial tasks, but indeed, the all-around MVP is Im Ha-yeon.
“I don’t want to hear about The Rise of the Tang Family from someone else before I get to read it myself.”
Is that so?
Im Ha-yeon scanned the second floor with burning eyes, as if she were a hero who would ensure no serious injuries would occur when a crime happened.
“This time, in Volume 3…”
“Quiet! Hush!”
No worries about spoilers for The Rise of the Tang Family at the Tea Bookstore.
——
“Thank you for your hard work.”
After three days of extended operations, I greeted my staff, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads despite the chilly weather.
“““Thank you!”””
The staff bowed before leaving in groups. I’ll need to give them some bonuses for their hard work next month.
“Aren’t you going home?”
I spoke to Im Ha-yeon, who was glued to the floor staring at The Rise of the Tang Family as if weighed down by a ton of lead.
“From tomorrow, the Tea and Book Club will talk about Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family too, right?”
Im Ha-yeon spoke in a subdued voice, avoiding making eye contact with me.
“It’s going to get busier starting tomorrow. I’m counting on you.”
“…”
Im Ha-yeon weakly hung her head at my words.
It’s not payday yet. Although Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family isn’t overpriced, it’s still not cheap enough for Im Ha-yeon, who relies on me for dinner.
There’s a saying that the hardest part about working in a movie theater is hearing spoilers for your favorite film, and if this keeps up, Im Ha-yeon will hear about The Rise of the Tang Family from someone else tomorrow.
There would be nothing more frustrating for someone who has been anticipating Volume 3.
A conflicted expression briefly crossed Im Ha-yeon’s face, conveying a sense of frustration and restraining something.
What a funny girl. She only needs to say one word.
“Take it.”
I picked the cleanest book from the pile and handed it to Im Ha-yeon.
“What is this?”
“It’s The Rise of the Tang Family Volume 3. A gift.”
“A gift?!”
Im Ha-yeon’s eyes widened, alternating between me and The Rise of the Tang Family Volume 3.
“What’s so surprising? You look like you’ve never received a gift before in your life.”
You’ve worked hard as a manager, so I’m giving you one. Read it.
“I’ve received gifts! From courtesans and the like!”
If you’ve received a gift, then why act so surprised? It’s not like I twisted a nerve or something.
“Go read it and make sure you come to work on time.”
After handing The Rise of the Tang Family Volume 3 to Im Ha-yeon, she looked back at me and the book before finally holding the volume close to her.
“Thank you…”
Im Ha-yeon mumbled, her voice low, as she dashed out of the Tea Bookstore.
——
The day I could have discussions about The Rise of the Tang Family Volume 3 arrived.
“Ugh! I can only exclaim in astonishment!”
“Is Writer Ho Pil insane? How can someone write such a story?!”
“Is Ho Pil your friend? How dare you speak so recklessly!”
“Let’s all calm down and take a look at this character named Ho Pil.”
“Ugh! My eyes! They’re dazzling!”
“I feel like I’m going blind!”
“I actually got to see Volume 3! I can finally die in peace!”
“Does this mean I don’t have to see Volume 4?!”
“Just kidding! Just kidding!”
The Tea Bookstore was jam-packed, no space left to stand.
“Out of the countless books I’ve read since I was born, I’ve never seen anyone unfold the story like Writer Ho Pil!”
“Exactly! Whenever a crisis arises and things look bleak, it resolves so refreshingly! And he rushes to help others in trouble, looking cool even from a man’s perspective!”
“And how about the women! At first, I was worried when I heard that two women were coming, but they turned out to be such wonderful allies and beautiful future wives!”
“Indeed! Especially the nighttime scenes… Ahem…”
“Cough! No need for words.”
——–
“Tang Jung is so cool…”
Im Ha-yeon murmured, staring into the distance as if she were wandering through a flower field.
“Go home and dream about it.”
“Ugh!”
Im Ha-yeon looked at me with a frown, as if she just bounced back from the dark loading screen of a mobile game.
“Did you sleep?”
Dark circles prominently under Im Ha-yeon’s eyes betrayed her fatigue.
“I wouldn’t give up The Rise of the Tang Family for sleep.”
So she didn’t sleep.
“Really! Hah… How did Writer Ho Pil manage to write this…?”
Looks like she’s drifting off again.
“If you can’t concentrate on work, I’m going to give you a penalty.”
“Ugh! That’s too harsh!… I get it. I’ll focus.”
When I finally pulled Im Ha-yeon from the world of The Rise of the Tang Family, loud voices came from the Tea and Book Club.
“Isn’t Tang Jung too much? There are women openly tempting him right in front of him, and yet he’s only thinking of his heart’s woman!”
“Exactly! That’s why Tang Jung is amazing! Even with temptation laid on him, he doesn’t falter in his love for Gu Suk-Jung and Du Eung-hyang!”
“He loves both women equally, so that must be why!”
“Ha.”
Im Ha-yeon scoffed at those words.
“What’s going on?”
“They’re mistaken.”
Im Ha-yeon replied, smirking slightly.
“What do you mean?”
“Tang Jung mentioned Du Eung-hyang one more time than the first beauty of Sichuan in Volume 3. In other words! This means Tang Jung cares for Du Eung-hyang more than the first beauty of Sichuan!”
You didn’t sleep at all and you were counting those details? You’re such a fervent fan of Du Eung-hyang.
“What is this madness?!”
While I was in admiration of Im Ha-yeon’s commitment, the voices from the Tea and Book Club grew louder.
“We were simply offering good advice!”
“This brat is trying to deny it till the very end!”
What’s this commotion? Im Ha-yeon and I hurriedly made our way toward the Tea and Book Club.
“What’s the meaning of all this? It hasn’t been long since Volume 3 was released.”
“Listen. Manager Kang. No, this guy is saying that the pallid Im Mi-ryeong is more attractive than the first beauty of Sichuan!”
“Excuse me?”
“You all were saying that? We found out that this brat was saying the same thing about Im Min, saying she is more attractive than the first beauty of Hubei!”
“How dare you try to snatch people away! What are you?”
The loud voices came from both sides of the Hubei First Courtesan group.
“Well, this has been discovered.”
“I could have extracted a bit more.”
“What is going on?”
The members of the Tea and Book Club turned pale at the sight of the rising tensions between the two factions.
“We’ve been quietly waiting for our time.”
The first beauty of Hubei and the first beauty of Sichuan groups had gathered together, wearing ominous grins.
“What is happening?”
“It is clear that two can best one. The tide has already turned.”
“No way!”
“Yes! We are the Qinghong Clan, supporting the red phoenix! Quickly, join us!”
The heat in Yichang intensified due to The Rise of the Tang Family.
With the emergence of the Qinghong Clan, the Tea and Book Club was divided into three factions like a cauldron!
