“Did you say the Elders’ Council requested a meeting?”
It had already been two days since the distribution of Jeagal Seolrok. An unexpected invitation had come flying in.
“They said they have good tea and want to share it with Master Kang.”
“Suddenly?”
Wasn’t the Elders’ Council the one who continuously opposed the marriage talks? It’s not like we’re gathering with my father-in-law, and to have a separate discussion…
I couldn’t help but feel flustered.
“They only wish to create an opportunity for a casual chat before reaching a conclusion, so they said not to be too nervous and come to the Elders’ Council.”
Saying they wanted to talk before a conclusion means I can’t help but feel nervous.
“…Alright, I’ll go at the appointed time.”
I sent off the messenger from the Elders’ Council and turned to the anxiously listening Miss Zhuge beside me.
“W-What if it’s about the conclusion?”
“It seems likely, but since we’ve fulfilled their requests, they probably won’t say much.”
Could it be they want to negotiate to allow me to write the next volume since they’ll permit the marriage?
As an author, I have my pride. There’s no way I’d allow that!
The long-desired protagonist of the novel, Jeagal Seolrok. I promised to be satisfied with just one volume and now I want the next?!
That would be the greatest humiliation for the Elders’ Council, right? It would be straight-up degradation!
“Shall I inform my father?”
“It’s probably not a big deal. I’ll be back.”
The Elders’ Council had deliberately arranged a dialogue. This invitation itself was a green light. If they were going to stubbornly cling to their opposition, they wouldn’t have called me at all.
Though the invitation came from the Elders’ Council, the knife’s handle is firmly in my grasp.
I felt certain of Jeagal Seolrok’s success.
——
The place I went to was not the Head Family’s Hall as before, but the Elders’ Chamber where the elders of the Jeagal family regularly resided.
“You called for me.”
As I opened the door to the Elders’ Chamber, complex and subtle gazes poured over me.
Starting off well. Stares filled with anger and disdain. This is why you need at least one skill to earn a living.
I stood proudly in front of Elder Councilman Il.
“Take a seat. Bring the tea. Is there a particular type you prefer?”
“I don’t have a specific preference.”
As I sat down, a teacup filled with pleasantly warm liquid was placed before me, bringing a comforting warmth amid the chilly weather.
“Good, it’s top-grade Blue Mountain coffee just brought in from Yunnan. Drink up while we talk.”
So it was coffee in the cup. Right, it’s common to serve coffee. Let’s overlook the little details.
“The aroma of the tea is excellent.”
“Ha ha, is that so? I roasted it myself.”
“…….”
The head elder of the Jeagal family roasts coffee? Why is he saying this with such pride? It was hard to hold back my laughter.
“Does it not suit your taste?”
“No, I was simply surprised that you did it yourself.”
Every time I think I’ve gotten used to this world, it throws me another challenge that’s hard to bear.
“Just a small hobby.”
As the head elder of the Jeagal family, shouldn’t he engage in calligraphy or playing Go instead of that? I had to bite my tongue to suppress my true thoughts.
“Just a small hobby! The merchant in the Jeagal family is the one person they dislike meeting the most due to his picky nature about beans!”
“It’s been a short while since I’ve only enjoyed good things. I can afford to be a bit particular about things I like, can’t I?”
With a wink, Elder Il asked me.
“Yes, when one likes something, it’s only natural to be strict about it.”
Unlike the other elders, Elder Il had shown a friendly attitude towards me, and I nodded without addenda.
“So, do you have a favorite hobby? Or maybe you collect brushes or enjoy gourmet food?”
My hobbies include being a commander, traveler, teacher, professor, and trainer. I hesitated for a moment but decided to provide the best answer I could give to the elders.
“My work is my hobby, and my hobby is my work.”
Because I’m self-employed. I work 16 hours a day, and overtime is separate. There’s no weekend. Even if I’m sick, I go to work. Do I have time for hobbies?
I wrapped it nicely in layers of words.
“Hmm… No matter how much you can write as you please, it’d be good to have another hobby to ease your tired mind. Ho Pil.”
Can you even live like that?
Huh?
Wait a minute.
What did you just say?
“…Cough! Cough!”
I was momentarily shocked and choked.
“Oh my. Elder Oh, have someone pat his back.”
“Th-Thank you. What did you just say…?”
I settled my throat and looked at Elder Il. I wasn’t mistaken; he had definitely called my name.
One of the reasons I wrote Jeagal Seolrok.
“I read your novel well, Ho Pil.”
Kang Yoon-ho is really Ho Pil, huh?
Elder Il called my pen name again, as if he hadn’t misspoken.
——
“Th-Thank you. Then…!”
The Elders’ Council has finally recognized me as Ho Pil. Just to be sure, I looked around at the other members of the Elders’ Council, and they merely nodded in agreement.
Could it be they called me here just to tell me today’s results? Stunned, I looked at Elder Il, but he shook his head.
“Don’t be overly nervous; we merely called you to talk about the novel today.”
“…That’s true. With the Head of the Family absent, there’s not much to discuss.”
Well, that’s good. Still, the fact that the Elders’ Council has recognized me as Ho Pil is a clear piece of good news.
“Exactly! I had a question to ask, so we arranged this gathering!”
As I calmly supplied caffeine to my body, another elder began to speak.
“I believe you’re the one who manages the work. What is your question?”
“Do you like women?”
“Yes?”
I reflexively asked back to the absurd question.
“Elder, didn’t you say to refrain from such nonsense!”
Why are you suddenly asking if I like women?
There’s no way they could know that my romantic experiences could be counted on one hand. Or did they hear I didn’t have a heroine in my first novel, Jeagal Seolrok, and were asking indirectly?
“Now that we’re at it, let’s ask it! Do you enjoy drinking with courtesans?”
Drinking with courtesans is something shocking to ask, but it is one of the ordinary pleasures in this world.
Just look at the Joseon dynasty, with respectable scholars reveling in poetry while sipping their drinks.
“I don’t usually enjoy it unless it has to do with work.”
I’m not completely uninterested, but if I went to Gilu in Wuhan, I’d get a slap from Gi-mun Hyang-ju.
“See? I told you.”
Some elders nodded knowingly as they expected.
“Hmm… That’s unfortunate. If you want to interact with other literati, perhaps picking up a hobby from now would be good.”
What do you mean by ‘unfortunate’?
I understood the implication. Cheonggi is the idol of this era and an elite woman with higher education. Literati are likely to earn fame by mingling with female poets and learn the latest trends.
I don’t need that.
‘The atmosphere of the Elders’ Council has changed.’
It felt welcoming. They suddenly became friendly, but the warmth felt strange even though they just recognized me as Ho Pil.
I must remain on guard. There’s definitely a hidden purpose behind their actions.
What on earth do they want to discuss with me?
“What about persuading the Head of the Family?”
The reason the Elders’ Council summoned Kang Yoon-ho was due to yesterday’s council meeting.
“The Head of the Family?”
“We would agree, so ask your son-in-law to bring up the next volume.”
“That only works if the Head of the Family is eager to marry. The Head of the Family is still unsure and is struggling, so that’s not an appropriate negotiating tactic.”
“Ugh… I guess we have no choice but to wait.”
“‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ hasn’t been published in nearly a year. How long do we wait for a novel that was promised to be completed in a single volume?”
“What then shall we do?”
A solution didn’t seem to be forthcoming.
It was a novel I had initially agreed to be satisfied with as a standalone. I even promised not to interfere with its writing. How could I possibly ask for a sequel?
As long as their union was approved, would I never get to see volume two?
“Then what if we created a debt of gratitude toward Ho Pil?”
The one who spoke was Elder Sam.
“A debt of gratitude?”
“The Elders’ Council would divide into factions; one side would be friendly to Ho Pil while others would pretend to still be dissatisfied.”
“Divided?”
“Some are still opposed. Forcing them to nitpick the novel’s content while the other side defends it before Ho Pil.”
“Continue.”
“We’ll show a conflicting front, and in a few days, we’ll let Ho Pil know that we come into agreement. Of course, some of the Elders will still remain dissatisfied with parts of the writing. Set the stage with that.”
“What if Ho Pil gets offended and decides not to write the next volume?!”
“Just a part of the opinion. If the majority of Elders succeed in persuading a few, they could endear themselves to Ho Pil. If we stealthily find a gift he likes and offer it, it might reduce some of his resentment toward us!”
“Once resentment takes root in the Elders, using a minority as a shield to gain favor… That’s your approach?”
Elder Sam nodded in agreement.
“Once he is pressured, he’s the type that wants to prove himself instantly. In front of us, he raised his voice and claimed to have written a piece in mere fifteen days. Do you think he will impress the remaining members enough to write the next volume?”
“It doesn’t sound bad, but will such a simple approach really work?”
“Of course, the reaction won’t be immediate. However, if Ho Pil continues to harbor resentment toward us, the next volume will definitely not come out.”
We had no cards to play immediately.
It’s not an enticing offer for someone who’s the successor of the Man Geum Battlefield and surrounding people wouldn’t easily be swayed. Hence, the only task the Elders’ Council could do now was one thing.
“Kang Yoon-ho, we must find a way to reduce the resentment Ho Pil holds toward the Elders’ Council.”
“We’ll proceed with the aim of winning over Ho Pil’s heart. Do what we can do right now.”
The reason for summoning Kang Yoon-ho the next day.
——
“Inviting me here to talk about Jeagal Seolrok, what nonsense is this!”
Now that it felt all warm and cozy, it was time for some resentful factions to step in.
Taking the lead as the representative of the opposing faction, Elder Councilman Il raised his voice as if he could no longer hold back.
“Why do you raise your voice in a meeting meant for conversation?”
“What? After reading a novel that misuses our founder’s name, do you think we can just laugh about it?”
As an elder of the Jeagal family, he pointed out the biggest flaws in Jeagal Seolrok. Elder Il glared at Kang Yoon-ho.
“Calm down. Kang Yoon-ho. Should I call you Ho Pil?”
Elder Il intervened and regarded Kang Yoon-ho with a calm demeanor.
“You may address me however you prefer.”
“Everyone agrees that it’s an enjoyable read. However, there are still a few issues that must be reserved for judgment, which is why you were called here.”
“I understand why you’re upset. The guarantee aspect has been quite the dilemma indeed. Given Jeagal Seolrok’s character, I believe such confidence is necessary.”
“What?! You thought it was needed? Ha! So you want to go all out? Plus, it’s all ridiculous! A ghost ship? Who would orchestrate such a thing? And the protagonist! Finding evidence by looking at his surroundings? That’s impossible!”
“Did you just say it was ridiculous?”
Kang Yoon-ho and Elder Il’s gazes locked in a clash.
A proud writer versus an elder unwilling to acknowledge his son-in-law—a confrontation assembling as planned. A few would absurdly criticize Ho Pil’s writing while the majority would defend him in front of him.
All is unfolding as scripted. Next up was Elder Oh to step in as Ho Pil’s supporting force.
However, the Elders’ Council had overlooked one fact.
“The ghost ship incident actually took place.”
It was anticipated that some criticism would emerge from Kang Yoon-ho regardless of the cause.
“What?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The ghost ship incident was an actual case that I resolved.”
The reason Kang Yoon-ho chose the ghost ship incident as the first case of Jeagal Seolrok.
