The moment of facing the results of my efforts is always tense.
I looked at the hundreds of copies of The Rise of the Tang Family displayed in the first floor.
For some reason, a story popped into my head about a doujinshi author who overly excitedly ordered hundreds of copies and then struggled to manage the stock.
In reality, I’m a somewhat established author, but in this world, I’m a rookie author, Ho Pil. Plus, the content of the book isn’t pure erotic fiction but a colored heroic story filled with martial arts.
If I were an ordinary author, I would have been anxious that they would all turn into stock.
“I’m an author and a bookstore owner, so it’s not a problem.”
Customers will enter the bookstore and immediately face my book. They can ignore it and look for other books if they want. I’ve even put it in a prime spot. I even placed it right at the last display stand.
This is advertising at its peak!
If this were a reality web novel platform, one would almost think there was a hidden camera capturing the boss’s secret preferences with such overwhelming promotion.
“Are you not going up to Da Seogak?”
Lady Tang came over after placing The Rise of the Tang Family in its slot.
“I’m going to wait and see if a single book sells.”
I have to see the moment my book sells for the first time in this world.
“Do you really think The Rise of the Tang Family will sell?”
Lady Tang looked anxiously at the mountain of hundreds of The Rise of the Tang Family stacked up.
“We made this book together, right? It’ll sell well.”
I wrote it based on content that was confirmed to be popular in modern times. It may be my writing, but I combine martial arts and erotic fiction to create an interesting story, so I’m confident.
“We… together… Yeah. Right.”
Did my words resonate? Lady Tang pulled back her anxious gaze and looked at The Rise of the Tang Family with a somewhat happy smile.
It definitely contains a lot of Lady Tang’s contributions.
Lady Tang helped verify the Tang Family martial arts, adding authenticity to it. Plus, not just swaying flowers, but the overwhelming sway of Lady Tang captures my fascination in The Rise of the Tang Family.
The book has turned out well, and the displays have been completed.
Now, it’s time to use my hidden weapon.
“Hey, Lady Tang. Help me with this before the bookstore opens.”
I pulled out the secret weapon from the bag.
“What’s this?”
Lady Tang asked with a surprised look.
“It’s the hidden weapon that will make The Rise of the Tang Family sell like hotcakes.”
“Will this really help?”
“Of course!”
I finished preparing the hidden weapon with Lady Tang and got ready to greet the customers.
“Welcome!”
Hwang Seong visited the newly opened bookstore again without fail today.
The old and shabby bookstore operated by Baekga has undergone a surprising transformation after being inherited by his granddaughter, who reportedly handled a storm of changes.
Unlike other bookstores, the books here were neatly organized around specific themes, current trends, and practical books.
One of the charms was that customers could browse and purchase these books without asking for permission from the staff.
‘Today is the day when the manager’s recommendation changes.’
That was the reason Hwang Seong arrived early at the bookstore today. He felt that the novels recommended by the manager matched his taste quite well.
How did he manage to find books buried in obscurity so well?
As someone who enjoys searching for treasure among the yellowed books, his friends dubbed him Hwang Gu. The manager seemed to be on a higher level than him.
Was he the only one thinking like this? If one visits the bookstore too late, the most interesting recommended books might already be gone.
What will be this week’s recommendation? Hwang Seong entered the bookstore with anticipation.
“Is that a promotional sign?”
Hwang Seong approached to look at the newly hung signs all over the bookstore.
[If you’ve finished, go away. What’s done? To find out, read this book. The Rise of the Tang Family.]
[This novel is amazing! The talk of the year!]
[This month’s manager recommended novel! I recommend it in the name of the manager!]
[A method for a hero to easily eat a cake-like smile.]
[A new novel type that makes the Central Plains tumble in shock and makes the why tremble in fear. Colored Heroic Story!]
“Ah, no, what in the world is this?”
Hwang Seong looked around, unable to close his mouth at the signs all over the bookstore.
“Hwang Seong! We’re extravagantly promoting a fantastic new novel this time.”
The manager with black hair approached Hwang Seong with a smiling face.
“How amazing could it be to promote so loudly?”
“It’s a colored heroic story. It’s a very popular genre in Joseon. When this book comes out, the bookstore will be bustling. We’ve published it exclusively in our bookstore, so we can’t not promote it.”
“A colored heroic story? An erotic story?”
“There are also risqué stories, and stories about martial artists as well. It’s a complete entertainment novel that you can’t find in Joseon.”
“Hmm… Ho Pil, huh. I’ve never heard that pen name before.”
Hwang Seong looked at the pen name peeking from the corner of the book with a suspicious look.
“Hwang Seong! Have you ever seen a novel I recommended fail?”
“That’s true. By the way, the title is The Rise of the Tang Family? Hah! No way. Is this a story about the Tang Family?”
Hwang Seong exclaimed in surprise, lifting the book to ask me.
“Haha. The protagonist is a member of the Tang Family.”
“Goodness, an erotic story with a protagonist from the Sichuan Tang Family! I’ll believe the manager and buy this book without even looking at the content.”
It’s the first time hearing about this novel genre. Colored Heroic Story.
Normally, Hwang Seong would have hesitated to buy it immediately. But with such extravagant promotion, it couldn’t possibly have poor content. Plus, it involves the Sichuan Tang Family.
“Thank you!”
Hwang Seong, with a racing heart, purchased The Rise of the Tang Family along with a few other books he had originally planned to buy, and left the bookstore with the manager’s cheerful send-off.
—————–
“Another novel in the morning, huh.”
Hwang Seong’s friend pointed at the book he had bought during lunch.
“It’s not a problem if you catch books….”
“That’s only when it’s a study book. What you’re reading is something like an erotic story, right? Wouldn’t it be better to spend that money at the tavern instead?”
“This guy. You really don’t understand the charm of novels. In a tavern, you spend big money and only enjoy it once, but how can it compare to a book? A novel is like food that doesn’t grow dull, no matter how many times you chew!”
“It’s not a taste that doesn’t grow dull, but one that doesn’t get boring even after hundreds of hits, right?”
“Ahem. Does this guy really have to say it so directly?”
Hwang Seong awkwardly coughed and hurriedly checked the surroundings for stares.
“Buddy, you can’t deny it. If you like risqué stuff, go to the tavern. You should be groping a courtesan’s chest instead of fondling a piece of paper.”
Hwang Seong’s friend looked at him with disdain and said.
“I find this way better than a tavern! It’s more fun and enjoyable.”
“Now you’re talking nonsense? Your nickname is Hwang Gu, but you’re not making dog jokes too? The erotic story you raved about last time didn’t seem very good to me.”
“Ahem. This guy really doesn’t know the charm of a novel.”
Hwang Seong looked at his friend with pity. The novel he recommended last time was the most enjoyable one he had read recently, and it couldn’t even move his friend’s heart.
It would be nice if they could share the same hobby as friends with whom he could communicate.
Just then, the book he bought in the morning came to mind.
“Friend, why don’t you take a look at this book?”
“The Rise of the Tang Family? What’s this about?”
“It’s a novel recommended by a well-known bookstore these days. It’s said to contain stories from the Sichuan Tang Family. It also has risqué tales included, so if it doesn’t fit your taste, how about reading this?”
“Alright. Sounds good. I’ll read it, but if it’s boring, you’re taking me to the tavern next time.”
Hwang Seong’s friend, seeing the confident expression of Hwang Seong, nodded reluctantly and took the book.
—————–
“I should have given him another book.”
After finishing work that evening, Hwang Seong looked through the books he bought today and held his head in despair. Boring. Stale. Lacking stimulation.
The Rise of the Tang Family. I should have read it first.
Hwang Seong regretted and pondered if there were any books among his belongings that were worth a second read.
Just then, bang! bang! bang!
Hwang Seong hurried to the door at the sound of knocking.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me!”
It was the voice of his friend he met during lunch. Hwang Seong opened the door and greeted his friend.
“What’s going on at this hour?”
“Phew!”
“Did you run? Come, sit. I’ll pour you a glass of water.”
“I-I’m fine! This! This!”
Hwang Seong’s friend panted heavily as he pointed to what he was holding.
It was The Rise of the Tang Family that Hwang Seong had given him at lunch.
“The Rise of the Tang Family? What’s going on?”
“This book! Just now! I mean! Phew! You bought several books earlier, right?”
“Rest before talking.”
“Next volume! Give me the next volume!”
“What?”
“I want the second volume! Quick!”
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