Chapter 120: Publication (2)

Facing the results of one’s efforts was always nerve-wracking.

I stood before the display of hundreds of copies of The Rising Tempest of Tang Clan arranged on the first floor.

For some reason, I was reminded of those horror stories where a doujinshi artist, overflowing with enthusiasm, printed far too many copies and then struggled to get rid of the unsold stock.

Back in my old world, I was an experienced writer, but here, I was a debut author—Ho Phil.

Moreover, this wasn’t just any book; it wasn’t purely erotica but a blend of Murim and sensuality—a Saucy Murim.

If I were just an ordinary writer, I’d probably be sweating over the thought of ending up with piles of unsold books.

But I’m both the writer and the bookstore manager. So it doesn’t matter.

Every customer who entered the store would immediately encounter my book.

Even if they ignored it and browsed other sections, they’d run into it again along their path.

I even placed copies at the final display stand before checkout.

This is maximum promotional exposure!

If this were a web novel platform, it’d be the equivalent of receiving an absurd amount of front-page placement, as if I had blackmailed the CEO’s secret tastes.

“Aren’t you going up to the Tea Book Pavilion?”

Tang Hwarin approached after finishing the display setup for The Rising Tempest of Tang Clan.

“I’m staying to see the first sale.”

I had to witness it.

The moment my book was officially sold in this world—I wanted to etch that into my memory.

“Do you really think The Rising Tempest of Tang Clan will sell?”

Hwarin gazed at the towering stacks of books with uncertainty.

“It’s a book we made together. It’ll do well.”

I had written it based on content that was already proven popular in my world.

I wasn’t just saying this out of some baseless confidence in my own work—I had skillfully blended Murim and erotica into an engaging story.

“We made it together… Yeah. That’s true.”

Did my words reassure her?

Hwarin withdrew her worried gaze, now looking at the books with a faintly satisfied smile.

She had a significant stake in The Rising Tempest of Tang Clan.

Thanks to her, the martial arts techniques were far more authentic, giving the story more credibility.

And let’s not forget—she didn’t just review the combat realism of the Tang Clan’s techniques; her overwhelming “presence” had inspired certain elements of the book as well.

With the book finished and fully displayed, only one thing remained.

“Hwarin, before we open the store, help me with this.”

I pulled out a bag containing my secret weapon.

“…What is that?”

Hwarin looked at me in shock.

“This is the secret weapon that will make The Rising Tempest of Tang Clan fly off the shelves.”

“…You really think this will help?”

“Of course.”

Together, Hwarin and I prepared the secret weapon, readying ourselves to welcome our customers.

“Welcome!”

Scholar Hwang made his usual visit to the newly reopened bookstore.

The old, rigid bookstore, once run by the Baek Family, had undergone a remarkable transformation ever since their granddaughter took over after handling some kind of major upheaval.

Unlike other bookstores, where books were haphazardly stacked, this place neatly categorized them by theme, current trends, and practical use.

Moreover, customers could browse freely without asking for permission from the staff, which was a great appeal.

Today is the day the weekly manager’s recommendation changes.

That was the reason Scholar Hwang had come early in the morning.

His taste aligned surprisingly well with the books recommended by the manager.

How did this person manage to dig up such hidden gems from the depths of obscurity?

Scholar Hwang himself had a hobby of sifting through yellowed pages to find literary treasures, earning him the nickname Hwang Gu (Yellow Dog) from his friends.

Yet, it seemed the manager was on a level above him.

He wasn’t the only one who thought so.

If he arrived too late, the most interesting recommendations would already be sold out.

What’s this week’s recommendation?

Filled with anticipation, he stepped into the bookstore.

“A promotional sign?”

Curious, he approached the newly hung placards scattered throughout the store.

“…W-what on earth is all this?”

Scholar Hwang was left speechless as he took in the outrageous promotional signs displayed all over the store.

“Scholar Hwang! A phenomenal new novel has just been released, so we’re promoting it in full force!”

The black-haired manager approached him with a beaming smile.

“What could be so amazing that it warrants such an extravagant advertisement?”

“It’s Saucy Murim, a highly popular genre in Joseon! Bookstores over there can’t keep them on the shelves. And we have the exclusive publishing rights here! Of course, we had to promote it.”

“Saucy Murim? You mean erotica?”

“There are erotic elements, but it also tells the tale of martial artists. A fully entertaining read, one that’s so sought after in Joseon that supply can’t keep up with demand.”

“Hmm… Ho Phil, huh? Never heard of this author before.”

Scholar Hwang glanced at the pen name on the book’s cover with a skeptical look.

“Scholar Hwang, have I ever recommended a book that disappointed you?”

“…That’s true. But wait—the title is The Rising Tempest of Tang Clan? Hold on! This… This is about the Tang Clan?!”

He looked up at me, eyes wide in shock, gripping the book tightly.

“Haha! The protagonist is a member of the Tang Clan.”

“A Tang Clan protagonist in an erotic novel?! I’ll take your word for it and buy it without even checking the contents!”

A completely unheard-of genre—Saucy Murim.

Under normal circumstances, Scholar Hwang would have been hesitant to buy something like this.

But with such grand marketing, there was no way it was just some cheap, low-quality novel.

And above all—it was about the Tang Clan of Sichuan.

“Thank you for your purchase!”

With an excited heart, Scholar Hwang bought The Rising Tempest of Tang Clan along with a few other books he had originally planned to get.

As he stepped out of the store, he was greeted by the sight of the manager smiling ear to ear, happily seeing him off.

“Reading another novel first thing in the morning, huh?”

Scholar Hwang’s friend pointed at the book he had bought as they ate lunch together.

“A scholar reading books isn’t something to be criticized—”

“That only applies to academic books—what you’re reading is basically erotica. Do you enjoy blowing all your money on books? Why not just go to a brothel with that money instead?”

“My friend, you truly don’t understand the charm of novels. A brothel costs a fortune for a single night of pleasure. How could that possibly compare to a book? A novel is like a dish that never loses its flavor, no matter how many times you savor it.”

“It’s not that it never loses its flavor—it’s that you never get tired of beating it a hundred times.”

“Must you put it so crudely?”

Scholar Hwang cleared his throat awkwardly and quickly glanced around to check if anyone had overheard.

“You’re not even denying it. If you like that kind of stuff so much, just go to a brothel already. Get your hands on an actual woman instead of clutching at paper.”

His friend looked at him with pure disdain.

“I’m telling you, this is better. More fun, more satisfying.”

“So now that your nickname is Hwang Gu, you’ve started barking nonsense too? That so-called amazing erotic novel you recommended last time was completely underwhelming.”

“Haa… You truly don’t understand the beauty and allure of storytelling.”

Scholar Hwang sighed, looking at his friend with pity.

The novel he had recommended before had been one of the best he’d read in recent times.

Yet even that failed to move his friend’s heart.

It would have been nice if they could share the same hobby, too.

Just as he was about to give up, he suddenly remembered the book he had bought that morning.

“Friend, give this one a try.”

“The Rising Tempest of Tang Clan? What’s this?”

“It’s a novel recommended by that bookstore that has been the talk of the town as of late. It’s about the Tang Clan. There’s some spicy content too, so if my previous recommendation wasn’t to your taste, maybe this one will suit you.”

“Hmm. Alright, I’ll give it a read. But if it turns out to be boring, you’re coming to the brothel with me next time.”

Seeing the confident look on Scholar Hwang’s face, his friend reluctantly nodded and took the book.

“Perhaps I should’ve given my friend a different book?”

That evening, after finishing his daily work, Scholar Hwang had gone through all the books he had bought.

But as he sat there, holding his head in frustration, he realized—none of them were particularly interesting.

They were dull, predictable, and lacked stimulation.

I should have read The Rising Tempest of Tang Clan before giving it away.

Regretting his choice, he rummaged through his collection, wondering if there was anything worth rereading.

And then—

– BANG! BANG! BANG!

A loud knocking on the door made him jump.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me!”

It was the voice of the friend he had met at lunch.

Scholar Hwang quickly opened the door and let him in.

“What brings you here at this hour?”

“Huff… Huff…!”

“Did you run here? Sit down, catch your breath. I’ll get you some water.”

“Huff… Huff! Forget that! This! This!”

His friend, still panting, pointed at the book he was holding.

It was The Rising Tempest of Tang Clan, the very book Scholar Hwang had given him earlier.

“The Rising Tempest of Tang Clan? What about it?”

“This book! Earlier! So—I mean—huff, huff—you bought multiple books, right?”

“Catch your breath and speak.”

“The next volume! Give me the next volume, now!”

“…What?”

“I need volume two! Hurry up and hand it over!”