The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel-Chapter 125: Merchant’s Way - 2

The attacks on the bookstores selling Storm of the Tang Clan only grew more intense.

From boycotts and business disruptions to trash dumping and slander—there were even rumors that the bookstore owners were involved in lewd scandals with each other.

Eventually, unable to endure any longer, the bookstore owners gathered and reached a single conclusion.

“We can’t run our businesses like this. Escort Bureau, please assign us some bodyguards!”

Representatives from the bookstores visited an escort bureau in Yichang to hire martial escorts.

What they lacked was force. It didn’t matter if someone dumped trash or interfered with business—if they could beat them down and chase them off, problem solved.

They could have chosen to follow the Merchant’s Way and stop selling Storm of the Tang Clan—but no. These bookstore owners, beaten down as they were, refused to admit defeat.

“I’ve heard talk of boycotts and bookstore harassment in Yichang lately. Is that what this is about?”

The bureau chief asked leisurely as he sipped his tea.

“It’s more than boycotts and harassment—it’s garbage, threats... there was even an arson incident a few days ago!”

The representative trembled as he recalled it. It had happened at the shop that, aside from his own, had sold the most copies of Storm of the Tang Clan.

That very shop had been caught in a fire.

Arson?

Or just an accident caused by a beggar?

Every bookstore owner was on edge.

“It wasn’t arson. It was ruled an accident. Some beggar tried roasting chicken using scrap paper. It wasn’t even a large fire.”

“That’s just what they said! What if the beggar was hired by that Daseo Society?! We can’t know for sure!”

It hadn’t been a major fire—but all the copies of Storm of the Tang Clan stacked outside had gone up in flames, and the shop reeked of smoke, forcing a temporary closure.

Was it really just an accident? Or a hired act?

In a situation like this, everything seemed suspicious.

The bookstore rep, already worn thin from daily harassment, felt like he was about to collapse from nerves.

“Hah... You must be under immense stress.”

“Help ease it. Just assign us guards for a few months.”

“I refuse.”

The bureau chief set down his teacup and gave a curt answer.

“What?! That amount of money is enough to hire guards even in Julu District! Are you saying it’s not enough?”

“No, it’s more than enough to hire bodyguards for defending against troublemakers in Julu.”

Indeed, the sum presented wasn’t something a normal shopkeeper could afford—it was enough to hire escorts in the most chaotic neighborhoods.

“Then why refuse?”

“Because right now, the bookstores have become public enemies in Yichang. That amount of money isn’t enough to protect a public enemy.”

“P-public enemy?!”

“Rumors are everywhere. That bookstores violated the Merchant’s Way and angered the scholars and commoners. That’s why even the martial clans that usually protect the streets are staying out of it.”

“I’ll triple the payment. Even if it’s just for a month—please, can’t you help?”

“We run a business too. We can’t afford to be hated by the people of Yichang.”

Escort bureaus protect clients and cargo. Martial clans protect the streets. Reputation is everything in both fields.

“Tch... Fine. I’ll try another bureau.”

“They’ll all say the same. Why not just follow the Merchant’s Way?”

“This is merchant business. Don’t lecture me. I’m sure there’s a bureau out there that’ll accept if I pay enough.”

“Then good day.”

Without looking back, the bookstore rep—now labeled a public enemy—stormed off.

The escort bureau chief immediately began writing letters.

“Escort Captain.”

After writing several identical letters, the bureau chief summoned his subordinate.

“Yes, Chief.”

“Have the escorts deliver these letters to the other bureaus in Yichang. Be sure to say I sent them, personally.”

“Understood.”

The captain gathered the letters and vanished.

“Just a little patience now.”

Soon, the other escort bureau chiefs would receive the letters—and they’d laugh.

As he watched the captain disappear, the chief thought to himself.

The letters all said the same thing:

[“The day we get to read Volume 2 is not far off.”]

“I must see the scene where Tang Jeong returns to the Most Beautiful Woman in Sichuan.”

The escort bureau chief.

He too—was a devoted reader of Storm of the Tang Clan.

A member of Daseo Society.

******

News of the bookstores being pushed into a corner was reported to me in real time.

Since all of Daseo Society’s meetings happened at Daseogak, I was always in the loop.

Like a bartender in an old noir story, serving up an Old Fashioned as the weary hero dropped by after work, I brewed coffee and listened to their tales.

Then finally, the bookstore owners appeared in person.

“You young barbarian—guess you don’t know how things are done. This is just how it works, alright? We’ve got to settle this peacefully. You really want to fight?”

“So you’re the bastard stirring up trouble, huh?! Well, our shop’s never going to stop selling Storm of the Tang Clan!”

“Tell that dog of a writer—Ho-pil or whoever—to quit posting that garbage and just release Volume 2 already!”

“This is about surviving together! Keep this up and we all go down!”

They talked like old bullies from the countryside, the kind who, after getting smacked with a dose of reality, come crying that “neighbors shouldn’t fight.”

“Not leaving? Want me to make you shit yourself all day long?”

“Hiieeek!”

“She’s trying to unleash the Tang Clan’s Poisoned Killing Zone! Run for it!”

Yep. That’s a martial artist for you.

Thankfully, Hwa-rin had seen enough—and with one sharp word, they all ran for the hills.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“Still not enough, huh.”

I dipped my brush into the ink and sat down at the desk, thinking over today’s events as I finished my work for the day.

“I’m back.”

Hwa-rin entered the attic, looking tired.

“How was your day as a broker?”

Sales of Storm of the Tang Clan had slowed, but Tang Hwa-rin still had plenty to do.

These days, she was leveraging her title as the Baek Family Manor’s only surviving granddaughter to broker contracts between those who had purchased Baek family property and those in need of related services.

“Yeah. I mediated a silk contract today. Just like you said, I had both parties name their prices separately and pocketed a nice fee in the middle.”

“That’s great. Good work.”

“What are you writing now? Don’t tell me you’re writing another ‘This is Ho-pil...’ again?”

“No. I already finished those. I’m working on the first draft of Volume 2 of Storm of the Tang Clan.”

“So you are writing another ‘This is Ho-pil...’. Ugh... but are you really publishing Volume 2? I mean, those bastards were still at it this morning.”

She sounded thoroughly disgusted, clearly recalling the bookstore owners we drove away earlier.

“There are ways to make those bastards respect the Merchant’s Way. Anyway, Hwa-rin. After dinner, we’re heading to see Uncle Steward, right?”

“Yeah. I’ve gotta give him part of the commission to pay down that debt.”

“Instead of just handing him money, let’s have dinner with him.”

“Why? I mean... just the two of us would be nice. I earned money—I’ll treat us.”

“I’ve got a reason. Uncle Steward’s been working hard. Let’s eat with him, okay? Come on, Hwa-rin.”

“T-this isn’t what I wanted...”

And so, despite her visible displeasure, I brought Hwa-rin along for dinner with Uncle Steward that evening.

-----------

[This is Ho-pil...]

“That damned ‘This is Ho-pil...’—stop posting those! You’re going to ruin our bookstore!”

[This is Ho-pil...]

“Our staff are starting to fear for their safety!”

“We’ll sell the book at cost! If we can just clear the inventory, we’ll stop selling Storm of the Tang Clan!”

[This is Ho-pil...]

“Forget cost! Take it for free! Just take it all!”

“P-please, tell Master Ho-pil to stop targeting our store. We’ll hand over every cent we made from that book!”

[This is Ho-pil...]

“We surrender. Please... please, no more.”

-----------

“So now there’s only one bookstore left—the first one we visited.”

I adjusted my clothes in the mirror and spoke aloud. From the reflection, I could see Hwa-rin staring at me with clear dissatisfaction.

Something was up.

“Why have you been wandering around so much lately?”

“It’s for the novel.”

“The novel? You’re out drinking because of the novel?”

Her voice carried a note of irritation—maybe because I came back drunk last night?

“I told you. It’s because of the novel.”

I probably should’ve said something last night before heading out.

“There was... a faint scent of perfume on you. Y-you’re not... seeing another woman, are you?”

“Do I look like someone with that kind of free time? I had a drink with Uncle Steward last night, for business.”

“With Uncle Steward? Really?”

“Really. Don’t believe me?”

I turned toward her and spread my arms, proudly declaring I had nothing to hide under heaven.

“...I believe you. Then it’s fine. Here, drink this.”

Hwa-rin brought me a bowl filled with a golden liquid.

“What’s this?”

“Honey water. You drank last night, so I made it for you.”

She avoided my eyes as she handed over the bowl, clearly embarrassed.

Wow. Someone who brings me honey water after a hangover. I’m kind of touched. Back when I lived alone, I’d drag myself out of bed after drinking just to boil my own soup to survive the morning.

I downed the honey water in one go.

“Ahhh... So this is the honey water Yuan Shu was looking for. It’s sweet. Sweet.”

“Pfft. What are you even saying, seriously.”

Hwa-rin gave a small laugh, the suspicion fading from her eyes.

“Hwa-rin. Come with me.”

I put the bowl aside and spoke as she began to cheer up.

“Where to?”

“There’s only one bookstore left still selling Storm of the Tang Clan without permission.”

The same one we visited first. The only one still refusing to raise the white flag.

“Right?”

“Come on. Let’s finish this.”

It was time to bring this war to an end.