<Chapter 6> 05. Old Man Zhang
Thanks to his previous fainting experience, Baek Su-Gyeong managed to avoid collapsing this time. However, the psychological blow he had received was significant.
A single book had caused this tavern to start selling a liquor not even available in Hubei.
And it was selling like hotcakes!
They even offered discounts to customers who brought a copy of his book!
This was madness.
Swallowing a sigh and composing himself, Baek Su-Gyeong said, “One bowl of noodles, please. No alcohol.”
“Anything else, sir?”
“Some braised pork, if you have it.”
“I’ll check with the kitchen.”
As the waiter left, Baek Su-Gyeong sighed.
The ripple effect of his novel was far greater than he had anticipated.
At this rate, Bamboo Leaf Wine would soon be a staple in every tavern across Murim.
Was this really happening?
He needed to speak with Old Man Zhang after his meal.
“Your noodles and braised pork, sir!”
First, food.
He sent word, and the man arrived.
Baek Su-Gyeong waited patiently in a private room, sipping tea and continuing his writing.
He dipped his fine brush in ink, jotting down his thoughts, when the sound of the door opening reached his ears.
Wiping the ink from his brush and capping it, Baek Su-Gyeong turned his gaze towards the newcomer.
“It’s been a while, Old Man Zhang.”
“M-Master Baek.”
Old Man Zhang’s face was pale.
He seemed to think Baek Su-Gyeong was here to reprimand him.
He couldn’t bring himself to do that, especially after witnessing the Wudang sect’s reaction. If they could tolerate his audacity, he could certainly extend the same courtesy to Old Man Zhang.
“Do you think I’m here to scold you?”
“A-Am I wrong?”
“The fact that I’m still alive after using the Wudang sect’s name without permission is a testament to their mercy.”
Baek Su-Gyeong set down his cup of lukewarm tea.
“So, I can’t very well punish you for doing the same.”
“I-I see.”
“Still, you could have at least informed me. I was quite surprised to see my name and the title of my book plastered all over your tavern after being cooped up for three months.”
“My apologies, Master. But the two Wudang priests…”
“Ah.”
He was referring to Jeong-Jin and Jeong-Woo.
Thanks to them, there hadn’t been any major incidents at the bookstore lately. It seemed they had intercepted Old Man Zhang’s messengers as well.
Old Man Zhang wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
“Besides, you’ve been in seclusion for the past three months. I haven’t had a chance to speak with you. To be honest, my business was on the verge of collapse, so I thought I’d try using your name…”
“Is that so?”
The Cozy Inn wasn’t exactly in a prime location.
It was quite a distance from the bustling heart of Hubei. As a small tavern frequented mainly by regulars like Baek Su-Gyeong, it made sense for Old Man Zhang to try leveraging his name as a last resort.
And it had worked spectacularly.
Old Man Zhang bowed his head.
“Of course, I was wrong to use your name and the title of your work without permission. I’ve been anxiously awaiting your return.”
“If I hadn’t come, you would have continued using my name, wouldn’t you?”
“Do you mock my cowardice?”
Baek Su-Gyeong chuckled.
“Such is the nature of survival. I wouldn’t dream of mocking you. I doubt I would have had the courage to confront you myself. You’re quite brave, Old Man Zhang, to confess your actions.”
“Ha… haha…”
“You have my official permission. It’s a bit late for formalities, but I’m sure there are those who would take issue with your actions.”
Old Man Zhang was the owner of the tavern Baek Su-Gyeong had frequented ever since he settled in Hubei three years ago.
He hoped the man wouldn’t get caught up in any unnecessary trouble.
“You may use my name. However, since you’re using it for your business, I expect you to uphold the highest standards of honesty and integrity. No cheating customers or skimping on portions.”
“Of course! Absolutely! In fact, I’ll rename the tavern to Su-Gyeong Inn and send you ten percent of the profits every month!”
“There’s no need for that…”
Old Man Zhang shook his head.
“It’s the least I can do. The tavern’s success is thanks to your name, so please allow me to show my gratitude.”
“…If it will ease your conscience, then so be it.”
“Thank you, Master! You there! Are you listening?!”
“Yes, Master!”
“Prepare a feast for Master Su-Gyeong! Bring out the finest food and wine!”
“Yes, sir!”
It seemed he had inadvertently gotten himself entangled in this tavern’s affairs.
Still, it wasn’t a bad outcome.
He even had a new source of income.
Old Man Zhang beamed.
“This feast is in your honor, Master Su-Gyeong! Enjoy yourself to the fullest!”
The White Cloud Bookstore, which had always opened promptly every morning, remained closed.
A large signboard stood in front of the usually crowded entrance, declaring that visitors were not welcome.
Jeong-Jin and Jeong-Woo, the two Wudang disciples, were nowhere to be seen.
Even Baek Su-Gyeong was absent. However, no one dared to complain.
The signboard explained that Baek Su-Gyeong was taking a month-long break and would return soon. Of course, the reaction to The Wudang Sword Hero’s hiatus was quite intense.
“How could this be! A hiatus?! The Wudang Sword Hero doesn’t even come out daily!”
“I inquired with the Gyeong-Un Merchant Group, and they confirmed that Master Su-Gyeong has indeed embarked on a journey.”
“Damn it! I have to reread the third volume countless times while waiting for the next one?! This is torture!”
“Haha, patience, young man. He’ll be back eventually.”
“You! You haven’t read The Wudang Sword Hero!”
“No one who’s read it would say such a thing!”
“Get that imposter!”
“Damn it, I’ve been exposed!”
Chaos reigned.
Regardless of the public’s reaction, Baek Su-Gyeong was currently sailing down the Yangtze River, enjoying the scenery near Lake Hong.
“So this is the Yunmeng Marshes.”
Baek Su-Gyeong nodded in satisfaction as he jotted down his impressions of Lake Hong’s breathtaking scenery in a blank notebook.
He had learned from an ancient text that the area surrounding Lake Hong was once a vast royal hunting ground.
This massive lake, once the hunting grounds of the Chu king, had gradually divided into smaller lakes, most of which had eventually turned into land. Lake Hong was all that remained.
“What a magnificent view.”
Could this even be called a lake?
He knew from his modern knowledge that China had freshwater lakes of this scale, but witnessing it firsthand was a completely different experience.
A vast, expansive lake that could easily be mistaken for a sea.
He had heard that Lake Hong was one of the largest lakes in Murim, but seeing it in person was awe-inspiring.
“You seem to be enjoying yourself, Shopkeeper.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve had a moment of peace. Do you have any idea how stressful it is to be constantly bombarded with demands for the next chapter?”
“But you’re earning a fortune, so it’s all worth it, right?”
Baek Su-Gyeong chuckled at So Ssang-Ah’s remark.
“Unfortunately, I need to take breaks and explore new places to find inspiration. You can’t gain new experiences if you’re always cooped up inside.”
“You know, you’re quite eloquent for a bookstore owner.”
“I learned a thing or two during my time at the trading company.”
Baek Su-Gyeong smiled as he gazed out at Lake Hong.
The emerald water, covered in a blanket of green lotus leaves.
A small, red-painted boat gliding across its surface.
Their boat, carrying Baek Su-Gyeong, So Ssang-Ah, and other tourists, cut through the vast expanse of lotus leaves, leaving a crimson trail in its wake.
“I asked you to meet me here because I have some bad news.”
“Bad news… I assume it’s about illegal copies.”
“!”
Baek Su-Gyeong chuckled at So Ssang-Ah’s surprised expression.
“H-How did you know?”
“Where there’s popularity, there’s bound to be illegal activity. Especially when the demand is so high that it creates a shortage.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“I may not be a merchant, but I’m not stupid.”
Baek Su-Gyeong gazed down at the shimmering surface of Lake Hong.
“Human greed is a bottomless pit. Once it takes hold, people will cross any line, even if they know it’s wrong. Those who overreach their grasp will inevitably face consequences.”
He paused, his gaze meeting So Ssang-Ah’s.
“I hope you won’t succumb to greed, Merchant So. Learn to be content with what you have.”
“Ugh.”
“Don’t expand your business too quickly. A tower built on shaky foundations will crumble at the slightest tremor.”
“You knew?”
Baek Su-Gyeong nodded as he pulled out his fine brush.
Even though he was busy writing The Wudang Sword Hero and managing his bookstore, he always kept an ear out for news about So Ssang-Ah.
The Gyeong-Un Merchant Group, once on the verge of bankruptcy, was experiencing a resurgence thanks to their exclusive distribution rights for The Wudang Sword Hero. He had heard countless rumors about their meteoric rise.
He had heard that the Gyeong-Un Merchant Group had signed exclusive copying contracts with numerous bookstores. Most of those bookstores were likely filled with scribes diligently copying his novel.
“So don’t get greedy, Merchant So. Even the full moon eventually wanes.”
Just as the full moon inevitably gave way to the waning crescent, the Gyeong-Un Merchant Group’s explosive growth could easily be undone by a single misstep.
“I’ll take your words to heart, Shopkeeper.”
“I’ll leave the matter of the illegal copies to the Gyeong-Un Merchant Group… But if you’re struggling, let me know. I’ll even ask the Wudang sect for help.”
“Thank you.”
Baek Su-Gyeong continued writing, adding a description of Lake Hong’s beauty to his notebook.
“Show no mercy to those who infringe on your rights. The guillotine would be a fitting punishment.”
“T-The guillotine?”
“Those who engage in illegal copying are bound to be involved in other shady activities, like gambling. It’s better to cut them off at the source.”
He would have said “lawsuits” if this were his world, but this was Murim.
Baek Su-Gyeong closed his notebook and tucked his brush away.
“The Gyeong-Un Merchant Group’s success is built on their exclusive rights to my novel. The proliferation of illegal copies will hurt their business.”
“…That’s true.”
The Gyeong-Un Merchant Group was still in the process of rebuilding their fortune and regaining their former glory.
Any disruption to their main source of income, the exclusive distribution of The Wudang Sword Hero, would undoubtedly have a significant impact. They were involved in other ventures, but their primary source of funds was his novel.
If that were to be compromised, the entire merchant group could be thrown into turmoil.
So Ssang-Ah’s expression hardened.
“Shopkeeper.”
“Speak.”
“Would you… be willing to write a foreword for us?”
She was fired up.
It was understandable, considering her family’s hard-won recovery was at stake.
Baek Su-Gyeong readily agreed.
“As the author, I’m happy to lend a hand.”
“I won’t let you down!”