“Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes?”
The members of the Tea and Book Club were left with questions as they looked at the large scroll, which proclaimed the title instead of the long-awaited Tang Family’s Rise.
“Wind and Cloud Heroes? Is the man in the scroll Tang Jung from the Rise of the Tang Family?”
One member, still trying to wrap their head around the situation, recalled the character Tang Jung, a hero from the Tang Family.
“That’s a different person. Tang Jung isn’t wearing his signature hero attire.”
Hwang Seong pointed at the man’s forehead in the drawing and said.
The man depicted in the scroll was undoubtedly a martial artist, yet he resembled more of an enlightened sage detached from the world rather than a martial artist from a prestigious family.
“It’s not the fourth volume of the Tang Family’s Rise. Then what is this?”
“It must be a new work by Author Ho Pil as it says…”
Hwang Seong couldn’t take his eyes off the scroll, his expression confused.
“A new work by Author Ho Pil?!”
“Is Author Ho Pil finally releasing a novel?!”
Everyone was buzzing with excitement, eagerly waiting for the long-anticipated news of a new release from Author Ho Pil.
“Huh? Why do you look like that? Aren’t you excited about Author Ho Pil’s new novel? What’s with the face?”
Of course, not everyone in the Tea and Book Club was thrilled.
“…It’s not the novel we’ve been waiting for.”
They had been eagerly awaiting the next volume of the Tang Family’s Rise, but now faced with a new work, the members who had anticipated the fourth volume were unable to conceal their disappointment.
“Why isn’t it the fourth volume of the Tang Family’s Rise?!”
“Author Ho Pil will surely write a follow-up after this.”
“I’ve been waiting for the fourth volume for months! Suddenly he’s just churning out novels!”
“Isn’t it just a few months? Author Ho Pil has written three volumes in the past year. Plus, he’s now attempting a new work, which is astonishing in its own right!”
It’s a world where authors often struggle for years to complete a single novel. Some authors might end up publishing just one work throughout their entire career.
In contrast, the Tang Family’s Rise had produced three volumes in the past year, despite frequent announcements of discontinuation. That was astonishing!
“The depth of our waiting is different!”
Of course, for those waiting, it didn’t concern them in the least.
“Why is Author Ho Pil suddenly churning out novels?!”
“Even if he releases a new work, why are people complaining? A true fan should be excited about another novel from Author Ho Pil!”
“Just because I’m a fan doesn’t mean I’m not disappointed! A writer should have some ethics, right?!”
Author Ho Pil’s new work, Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes, threw a huge stone into the calm waters of the Tea Bookstore.
In an instant, excitement and anger spread like wildfire throughout the Tea and Book Club.
“Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes? What connection does it have with the Tang Family’s Rise?!”
“What I’ve been waiting for is the high-pressure beauty and the formation I can’t leave until I’ve had my fill—not a new novel!”
“I was looking forward to that too! Isn’t it a bit presumptuous for Author Ho Pil to be releasing a new book right now?!”
“What?! Am I not allowed to voice my thoughts?”
The crowd split between those looking forward to Ho Pil’s new release and those furious over the absence of the new volume of the Tang Family’s Rise.
As the Tea and Book Club, which was split like a forest of pines by factional interests, was on the verge of forming two rival camps…
“Everyone, stop fighting! Come down here!”
Hwang Seong shouted, announcing some new information.
“Wow! Author Ho Pil’s new work is here!”
“Where’s the fourth volume of the Tang Family’s Rise while we’re getting a new book?!”
“What happened to the afterstory of the parted women?!”
“As expected.”
The reaction to the new release announcement was anticipated to divide sharply. The same would probably be true in Yichang as well.
I returned to the office of the mansion, and spoke to the two women who looked at me with worried expressions.
“H-Ha-yeon, what do we do? Author Ho Pil is getting backlash…”
“While there are many who are looking forward to Author Ho Pil’s new work, there are also those who are grumbling about him straying.”
“If an author declares a long hiatus and then releases a new work, it’s bound to lead to resentment.”
I can’t argue against that.
It’s not hard to understand the readers’ frustrations.
When an author declares a break due to health reasons, only to be seen actively writing somewhere or playing games is disheartening.
It’s disappointing when a popular manga artist abandons a series only to take on a different story, neglecting their original work and rushing to wrap it up.
Discontent as a reader is inevitable.
“You haven’t been slacking off either, but you’ve been working tirelessly without time to write. It’s quite unfair.”
Is she feeling guilty for the backlash I’m receiving? Im Ha-yeon pouted her lips in displeasure.
There’s really no need for her to feel guilty. I’m actually grateful.
With Im Ha-yeon and Jeong Gyeol-hyang, I’ve gained a duo of exceptional talent, and now that the business is stable, I finally have time to write.
“An author is a profession that speaks through results. So ultimately, it’s my fault.”
Taking responsibility for the results. Once you choose the path of a writer, completing your work is something you must accept.
“W-What do we do, Master Kang?! What if the responses are cold before the release of the second volume?! I worked so hard with you, Master Kang. D-do you think my artwork is not appealing?!”
Jeong Gyeol-hyang clutched her head in anguish.
It’s definitely a tricky situation.
Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes, Volume 1 should sell by Ho Pil’s reputation. If published amidst such divided opinions, it could negatively impact sales.
“I’ve already prepared a way out.”
Of course, I had no intention of publishing without a plan.
“You’ve got a foolproof way?”
Didn’t I say I expected this? Failing to prepare ahead of time would be akin to relying solely on luck.
“In times like this, one must exclaim, ‘Rest assured! The Tang Family’s Rise is safe!’”
I smiled and showed the two women a piece of paper.
“Uh? What’s this?!”
“M-Master Kang, isn’t this what I’ve only heard about?!”
“Yes, it’s the ‘It’s Ho Pil…’ message.”
———
Yichang.
Tea Bookstore. First Floor.
[It’s Ho Pil…]
Members of the Tea and Book Club were staring at the prominently displayed message, which they wanted to see yet didn’t want to see.
Is this meant to promote Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes or is it something else? Like always, the members read the message with a mix of anticipation and concern.
The content they read was as follows:
Due to the debt issues related to the Tang Family’s Rise in Yichang, they are unable to carelessly release the next volume.
On the other hand, Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes is a new novel, allowing them some freedom. They will strive to help Manager Kang resolve a friend’s debt problem smoothly through Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes.
Additionally, if Manager Kang returns to Yichang, there’s a promise that the fourth volume of the Tang Family’s Rise will be issued promptly.
“It’s all because of those Man Geum Battlefield fellows…”
“If we’re to help Manager Kang, we have to release the fourth volume. How does it make sense to release a new book now?”
It makes sense to help Manager Kang through sales, but why Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes? Why not the Tang Family’s Rise?
Some members of the Tea and Book Club couldn’t help but voice their dissatisfaction.
“If the Man Geum Battlefield claims ownership of the Tang Family’s Rise, it won’t be easy. It’s well known that recently in the Hubei Province’s martial arts world, Nam Sal Moon crossed the line of the Man Geum Battlefield and suffered a terrible fate.”
A man in a bamboo hat murmured beside the members of the Tea and Book Club.
“Huh? I haven’t seen that face before. Are you an outsider? What about the story of Nam Sal Moon?”
“Nam Sal Moon, a user of loans from the Man Geum Battlefield, lost it all to gambling and declared that he would not repay a single penny. Meanwhile, the Man Geum Battlefield threatened to seize all of Nam Sal Moon’s properties if he couldn’t repay. In the end, Nam Sal Moon wielded his sword against the debt collectors from the Man Geum Battlefield.”
“Wow. Did Nam Sal Moon take on the Man Geum Battlefield? How did that go?”
“Well, they sent their hired martial artists, and Nam Sal Moon was beheaded while his disciples lost everything except their undergarments. The place where Nam Sal Moon stood is now nothing but desolation.”
When the debt collector from the Man Geum Battlefield lost an arm, a whole sect fell by the wayside. It highlighted the power and wealth of the Man Geum Battlefield.
“Wasn’t that whole sect unrelated to the debt?”
“Borrowing from the Man Geum Battlefield is like placing your head on the scales of Yama King.”
“Those heartless Man Geum Battlefield fellows have their grip on the life of the Tea Bookstore.”
“….”
The man in the bamboo hat sighed softly and once again alerted the members of the Tea and Book Club to the Tea Bookstore’s crisis.
“Ahh. It makes sense that the Man Geum Battlefield would try to seize ownership of the Tang Family’s Rise.”
Everyone living in Hubei Province was well aware of the Man Geum Battlefield’s reputation. Several of the Tea and Book Club members shuddered, perhaps recalling some unpleasant memories.
“I’ve heard that Manager Kang Yoon-ho has caught the eye of the Man Geum Battlefield and is doing well with his debt problems. If the reaction to Author Ho Pil’s Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes is good, we might soon see the fourth volume of the Tang Family’s Rise.”
“Is that true?”
The members of the Tea and Book Club couldn’t hide their astonishment as they spoke to the man in the bamboo hat.
“I’m from Wuhan and can tell you that I know well. There are still many debts, but it’s at a stage where a resolution is in sight. However, the closer they get to the end, the more slight fatigue they feel.”
“Then Author Ho Pil is stepping in to help his friend who’s wearing down?!”
The man in the bamboo hat nodded.
“Ah…. So, Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes isn’t some side project of Author Ho Pil’s?”
“It was a way to protect the Tang Family’s Rise!”
Now the situation had changed completely. Excitement spread across all the faces of the Tea and Book Club members.
“Indeed, Author Ho Pil is amazing!”
“I had faith all along, damn it!”
“Manager Kang has been working hard too!”
The shift in public opinion occurred in an instant.
If it were merely a case of overproduction, there would be anger, but when there’s a serious matter involved, it changes everything.
Author Ho Pil hadn’t given up on the Tang Family’s Rise. In fact, he had written Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes for the sake of the Tang Family’s Rise. So then, why would they shy away from reading Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes?
“Those Man Geum Battlefield fellows! How wicked they are!”
Soon enough, all negative sentiment was redirected toward the Man Geum Battlefield.
“What in the world could Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes be about? I’m so excited!”
“But I still want to see the Tang Family’s Rise…”
“Come on, just read Author Ho Pil’s last words!”
Hwang Seong pointed to the end of the announcement.
“Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes. Releasing tomorrow? It’s going to be released right away?!”
“That’s right! The more successful Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes is, the faster we can see the fourth volume of the Tang Family’s Rise!”
“So, if we read Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes and spread the word…?”
“Then the fourth volume of the Tang Family’s Rise won’t be far off!”
“Oh, right! But you’re an outsider, so where did you hear about Manager Kang’s news…? Huh? Where did he go?”
Hwang Seong hastily looked for the man in the bamboo hat, but he had already vanished without a trace.
—————
At the printing house of the Tea Bookstore, where Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes was buzzing to get printed, the man in the bamboo hat was writing something.
[This is Owl. Mission complete. I’m leaving the designated area.]
In Wuhan, a pigeon that had become accustomed to the environment took flight into the skies above Yichang.
The man in the bamboo hat finally tossed his hat aside as if lifting a heavy burden.
An outsider suddenly appeared in Yichang. The man’s hair was messy and greasy from long use of the bamboo hat, but clearly, it was black.
“Phew. I’ve done what the club leader asked, for now.”
The man’s identity was that of a shadowy club leader with black hair, gradually becoming adept in Yichang and Wuhan.
He was a member sent by the Joseon Provincial Association on behalf of Kang Yoon-ho, particularly skilled in public opinion warfare.
——————————–
Author Ho Pil has decided to release a new work.
A meticulously crafted new story for a friend. The news of this new work from the author who stirred up Yichang with the Tang Family’s Rise spread through Yichang in an instant.
“I’m first in line!”
“You fool! That line loops around! Get to the end!”
“I came at dawn!”
“I was here last night!”
Ho Pil’s new work and Kang Yoon-ho’s debut.
“I’m the first buyer of Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes!!!”
Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes was starting to make waves in Yichang, following the Tang Family’s Rise.
