“What’s going on with the Elders’ Council’s embarrassment?!”
Despite getting what he wanted, the blow was too much to bear. Elder Oh returned, carefully clutching volume 2 of the Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes, fuming with anger.
“Elder Oh, this is all your fault for causing such a scene in the second line!”
“Exactly! I could’ve gone quietly, but because of that fool, everyone noticed!”
“W-why is this my responsibility?!”
Elder Oh recalled the stares directed at him during the second line and trembled with shame.
“Look at that guy! He’s clearly offended. No wonder I almost failed the second test!”
“Did you see him asking for an answer with his eyes earlier?”
“I almost revealed the answer because I was heartbroken!”
“Ugh!”
Why was Elder Oh, the head of the family, screaming in rage? Anyone would keep their distance, but the members of the Elders’ Council simply sneered.
“You’re getting old and petty! Hey! You should be grateful we waited until all the tests were over! Where’s the anger coming from?”
“Ugh! Why were you all even there?!”
It was already suspicious. When the news about the volume 2 test came, everyone said they didn’t want to participate and left the scene. But then they had all taken the test before him.
Elder Oh shouted in indignation.
“If I just bring back one guy from here, you all know he’ll brag about it proudly. I can’t let that happen!”
“Yeah. Can’t let that happen.”
The Elders’ Council members had known each other for decades. They understood each other’s thoughts all too well.
“What are we gonna do! The rumors are gonna spread everywhere!”
“What do you mean, what are we going to do? Are we going to ban the Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes now?”
The plan for a quiet visit had already turned to vapor. It was time to think about the next steps.
“That can’t happen. We can’t give up on this treasure.”
“A treasure, you say! What are you talking about?!”
“Anyway, I want to keep watching Un-hyeon’s growth. How could I give that up?”
Everyone in the Elders’ Council nodded in agreement.
Just by reading the first volume, they felt as if they were being hit repeatedly with a blunt object. They even braved their shame to take the test just to obtain volume 2.
How could they tell others not to read Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes?
Of course, there were issues.
“When did we ever complain about some author spouting trash about giving birth to an uninteresting tale?”
No one dared to speak after Elder Oh’s critique.
“…”
“Hmm…”
“That guy over there. He’s got a real knack for involving others, huh?”
The Jegal family and the Sichuan Tang Family were inflaming their competitive spirit. Using a martial artist’s slip of the tongue as an excuse, they overstepped too much in disciplining the younger generation.
The Rise of the Tang Family and Ho Pil’s stories were being blocked from crossing Jegal’s doorstep, but now the very individuals banning it were seeking Ho Pil’s work, creating an awkward situation.
“When I checked with the folks at Man Geum Battlefield, they said since the beginning of this year, Ho Pil hasn’t worked on The Rise of the Tang Family but has been solely focused on writing Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes.”
How should they manage the situation? One elder suggested it would be best to stir the pot.
“Oh, is that true?”
“It seems he wrote a few erotic novels since they sell well, but honestly, I think he truly wanted to pen real righteous tales instead.”
“Indeed…”
It certainly wouldn’t be written at Ho Pil’s own desire. While it was mere speculation meant to cover Ho Pil’s ‘crimes’, there were no dissenters among the elders.
“Such literary talent! Have you ever seen an author poignantly tell tales of a world that’s practically forgotten?”
Since they openly criticized The Rise of the Tang Family, it was a touchy subject. The Elders’ Council began to share a common understanding, ultimately showering Ho Pil with praise instead of disparaging The Rise of the Tang Family.
“No! I’ve lived long, but never read something like this.”
“If the news gets out that we banned the works of a promising young author from the Jegal family, how will everyone view us?”
The conversation flowed smoothly.
The Rise of the Tang Family might be problematic, but Ho Pil himself was in the clear. Therefore, there was no issue with Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes. Since everyone was holding volume 2 in one hand, it wasn’t difficult to unify their opinions.
“That’s true! But we can’t be called out for flip-flopping by the Elders’ Council!”
The only remaining task was to come up with an official statement. Elder Three suggested a solution.
“For now, let’s keep quiet.”
“Keep quiet?”
“Let’s resolve the issue with the head of the family and the black-haired son-in-law, then make an official statement. They might whisper among themselves for a while, but surely, it won’t blow up into a big rumor.”
It wouldn’t be too late to make an official statement after resolving the more pressing family matters.
Not too many people wanted to gather by the pond. Sure, they’d chatter among themselves, but it wouldn’t escalate into a huge rumor.
The Elders’ Council nodded, agreeing it was a good idea.
—————
“Hehe. Just as expected.”
Jegal Hyang couldn’t hide her laughter upon hearing the news about the Elders’ Council diligently taking tests for volume 2 of Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes.
“Did they really come?!”
Jegal Hyang grinned at the startled expression on Jeon Gil-san, who had been skeptical about her plans.
“I spread rumors that they would be sold out by tomorrow. Right now, they must be feeling the heat on their feet with no way to get it!”
“I thought you’d send someone to Wuhan to secretly rescue it.”
“Come on! We’re talking about Master Kang’s Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes! If they want it that badly, they can certainly endure a little humiliation.”
No one expected the entire Elders’ Council to show up. Jegal Hyang was a bit surprised, but when thinking about it—it was, after all, Master Kang’s work.
“You’re speaking quite casually about this.”
“Hehehe, it’s not my first time!”
A deep shadow briefly passed over Jegal Hyang’s face.
“Huh?”
“I’m hearing news that Ho Pil’s The Rise of the Tang Family has been released. Ugh! I don’t want to go out. The world is scary. The clerks are scary. But I really want to see it. After much internal struggle, I finally let my heart speak. Let’s go out.”
She wanted to see The Rise of the Tang Family. She didn’t want to go out. After the massive dilemma, the woman made a colossal decision.
“Er…”
“I need to plan meticulously to avoid being noticed. Finding out when the book arrives in Wuhan is a must. Predicting where The Rise of the Tang Family will be placed is crucial as well. Engaging with the clerk would be a huge blunder.”
If she offered a different book with a smile, it would be tough to refuse. She couldn’t afford to waste time and risk running into someone she knew.
Before heading out, Jegal Hyang continuously checked her plans.
“You’re incredibly organized.”
“Hehe. Grabbing the new release of The Rise of the Tang Family and heading straight to the register would be a mistake. Picking up an appropriate and beneficial book for distraction is a must. The rumors must not spread. But things don’t always go as planned.”
Unexpected variables popped up. Jegal Hyang clutched her head in despair.
“What happened?”
“Isn’t that Miss Jegal Hyang? What brings you to the bookstore? Ah, um, it’s like this…” As she spoke, the gaze of someone she knew landed firmly on The Rise of the Tang Family…! What was she going to do about that embarrassing stare?!
“Ah…”
Jeon Gil-san’s pained sigh touched Jegal Hyang’s sore memories.
Chilling stares pierced through her heart. It hurts. She wanted to cover herself with a box right away. Filled with shame, Jegal Hyang twisted her body.
“What’s that gonna be like on the way home? I hope they won’t spread rumors. Once home, my mom sees what I’m holding in my hand and scolds me. For once, I cleaned up before going out! She tells me to go date instead of reading. No! What do novels have to do with dating?! That’s what I thought inside, and then I went inside. It’s a wounded victory, but still… still!!!”
“Still…?”
A victory filled with wounds.
But.
“Master Kang’s book is the kind that makes you want to visit the bookstore again, even after such humiliation to get the next volume!”
Ho Pil’s book. A story written by Master Kang. The trophy she brought had enough value. Jegal Hyang proudly proclaimed.
“Right, right. I’ve even heard this from my regular at the tavern. They say the days Ho Pil’s books come out, there are barely any customers at the tavern.”
Recalling a story she had heard before, Jegal Hyang nodded, reminiscing about last year.
The book she had worked so hard to obtain. The book she earned by braving her embarrassment. How despairing it was when The Rise of the Tang Family got banned because of the elders!
“B-but, with the elders around, it’s not getting any easier to get The Rise of the Tang Family… Well! That embarrassment! The pain! Hehe! It’s about time those elders felt what it’s like!”
“Wait, was the ban on The Rise of the Tang Family motivated by trying to mess with the Elders’ Council?”
“Ah, that’s purely incidental!”
Well, it was a little act of revenge, after all.
For some reason, when they visited the Elders’ Council, she’d told them to shout out loudly and let everyone see her take the test, hoping that they’d feel the pain of being a fan of The Rise of the Tang Family even a little bit.
“Then why?”
But her real purpose was something else entirely.
“B-because I have something I need to accomplish before Master Kang returns!”
Jegal Hyang was ready to use what she had learned for her beloved.
