“May we have a little chat about the Tea and Book Club and The Rise of the Tang Family?”
The martial artists of the Tang Family cautiously asked me as they noticed the conspicuously reduced number of troublesome guests.
“The Tea and Book Club, you say?”
“That doesn’t mean we want to take a break during work hours. Rather, we want to stay in the Tea Bookstore even during our security duties and talk about The Rise of the Tang Family.”
When I asked with a puzzled expression, the martial artists of the Tang Family seemed to think I misunderstood and raised their arms in defense.
“It’s fine.”
In fact, it’s more than welcome.
Just like a doctor reviewing a medical drama, a basketball player analyzing a championship game, or a soccer legend critiquing a Korean match, expert subculture reviews always generate interest.
To have martial artists of the Tang Family engage in discussions about a novel featuring protagonists from the Sichuan Tang Family—this was sure to spark a huge topic of conversation.
Of course, if they criticize it, I’ll need to intervene, but they were all avid fans of The Rise of the Tang Family.
“Can we join the Tea and Book Club too?”
Ultimately, the martial artists of the Tang Family began participating in the Tea and Book Club meetings.
“The martial artists of the Tang Family! Of course!”
The members of the Tea and Book Club had so many questions they wanted to ask about The Rise of the Tang Family.
Did the Sichuan Tang Family really approve of Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family? What do the Tang Family members think of it? Is Tang Jung truly a martial artist of the Tang Family?
The martial artists of the Tang Family began to answer the multitude of questions.
“Tang Jung’s triple poison technique is not just amazing because it poisoned the Color Demon.”
Moreover, the Tang Family members bragged as if Tang Jung was indeed a martial artist of the Tang Family, puffing their chests with pride.
“Is there more?”
“In Volume 2, Tang Jung devised the triple poison as a countermeasure to defeat the Color Demon. That means he sourced and concocted the poison locally, which indicates an extraordinary understanding of poisons.”
“Aren’t all the martial artists of the Tang Family skilled in making poisons?”
“Just because you wield a sword doesn’t mean you know how to make one. Understanding poison is different from having the ability to create a new poison.”
“Indeed! Tang Jung was not only skilled in the poison technique but also had profound knowledge of poisons themselves.”
“Tang Jung is truly an exceptional martial artist. He managed to poison the Color Demon with two different poisons without arousing suspicion. Then, he activated the final poison at will, showcasing his peak skill in poison techniques.”
“With the martial artists of the Tang Family praising it like this, I am once again in awe of how incredible The Rise of the Tang Family is!”
“For a novel to describe the Tang Family’s poison techniques so deeply and beautifully, it is a first for me.”
Of course, it’s a book made with actively gathered opinions from experts.
“A novel that even the Tang Family lauds!”
“The members of the Tea and Book Club have marveled at how profound poison techniques could be through The Rise of the Tang Family.”
“Ha ha! The Tang Family has high hopes for The Rise of the Tang Family to spread their prestige far and wide.”
“Indeed!”
It’s always more enjoyable when an expert praises a work they love. The area where the martial artists of the Tang Family gathered was packed, leaving no room for the Tea and Book Club members to move.
As the presentations from the Tang Family martial artists wrapped up, a member from the Tea and Book Club posed a rather uncomfortable question.
“By the way, who do the martial artists of the Tang Family consider as the true wife?”
“…….”
Why are they looking my way?
If the martial artists of the Tang Family keep their mouths shut and look at me, of course I’m going to be suspicious. Just turn away already.
“Surely, you don’t think it’s Gu Suk-Jung, the number one beauty of Sichuan, just because she’s from Sichuan, do you?”
Im Ha-yeon. Why are you burning with enthusiasm at the mention of the true wife instead of working?
Im Ha-yeon looked eager, leaning forward as if she’d spring forth at any moment, staring intently at the Tea and Book Club.
Who do the martial artists of the Tang Family perceive as the true wife, I wonder?
As I made a face that suggested I didn’t want to be involved, the martial artists of the Tang Family finally broke their awkward silence and began to speak.
“The Tang Family is actually divided into various factions.”
“Even among the Tang Family?”
“Both Gu Suk-Jung, the number one beauty of Sichuan, and Du Eung-hyang, the finest courtesan of Hubei, are charming women. And there are a few others who are mentioned as potential true wives in the upcoming volumes.”
“What?”
Im Ha-yeon exclaimed with widened eyes, murmuring at the table. Man, why not just join the Tea and Book Club outright?
I’ll write the resignation letter.
“Still, isn’t there a majority faction? Here in the Tea and Book Club, it seems like the Sichuan number one beauty holds a slight lead, but recently, an extraordinary talent emerged from the Hubei courtesans, causing concern for the Sichuan number one beauty faction.”
“No way, is someone really backing Du Eung-hyang as the true wife…?”
“You.”
One of the Tang Family martial artists grabbed the shoulder of a member from their faction who got all worked up and looked at me.
“Oh… I’m sorry.”
The martial artist quickly bowed their head to both the young master and me.
What’s going on? The members of the Tea and Book Club looked at the two of us in confusion. Isn’t this too obvious?
I sighed quietly and directed my gaze at the Tang Family member. You handle it.
The member seemed to understand as they gave a small nod and turned to the Tea and Book Club members to speak.
“Ahem! I think it’s inappropriate for the members of the Tang Family to share personal opinions about the true wife in the Tea and Book Club. It could create unnecessary trouble for Ho Pil, the author.”
No comment. Wise answer.
The Tang Family head has a beautiful fiancée, but the owner of the Tea Bookstore is the son of Hyang-a, so it’s a tricky topic.
Of course, The Rise of the Tang Family is a fictional story based on real events and is different from reality, but it’s understandable that the Tang Family members would find it difficult to accept otherwise.
“Indeed!”
“Additionally, Tang Jung is no ordinary hero. No hero would embarrass themselves by having several women.”
“Right! Everyone would love their true wives sincerely!”
When I went to Yichang, I declared I would accept all women regardless of how things turned out, unlike the original history.
“Indeed, that’s right! A responsible man like Tang Jung wouldn’t give up his women, no matter how many there were!”
“Y-Yes…”
Why do they look apologetic towards me? Tang Jung isn’t the Tang Family head.
“Hmph! It’s nice to see the Tang Family has principles.”
Im Ha-yeon seemed partially satisfied with the answers from the Tang Family members, giving a small smile and nodding.
“Certainly, the statements from the Tang Family can’t be ignored by the author Ho Pil, so it seems like the right attitude.”
“Of course, but the true wife is still Du Eung-hyang!”
Im Ha-yeon stated boldly, as if she were the lone defender of the heliocentric theory among those who believe in geocentrism, returning to her work.
———————————
The news of Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family, the appearance of the Tang Family members, and even the cheongsam.
“Wait? The Tang Family members are participating in the Tea and Book Club? I must visit the Tea Bookstore today!”
“Did you hear? You can chat with the Tang Family members about The Rise of the Tang Family at the Tea Bookstore!”
There was definitely a promotional effect.
“Why is the attire of the Tea Bookstore staff like that?”
“They say it’s called a cheongsam.”
“The woman’s figure is fully revealed, but it’s modest yet alluring without revealing too much!”
“Is that all? They say when wearing an apron, it’s called maiidou! Doesn’t that look just like the ideal woman?”
“Ughhh.”
“One of the seats where a Tang Family member sat is vacant. I’ll go first!”
“You!”
As guests flooded in day after day, the printing press worked nonstop, and the bustling Tea Bookstore moved quickly. When you’re busy, a week flies by in no time.
Eventually, the time arrived—the long-awaited release day for Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family.
“Heavens.”
“Wow. Look at all those people.”
As soon as the door opened, there was an endlessly stretching line.
The staff of the Tea Bookstore stared blankly at the queue.
“No way! Hwang Seong! Did you pull an all-nighter again this time?”
Once again, the front of the line for Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family was filled with members of the Tea and Book Club.
“Haha.”
“I’m here this time too.”
Familiar faces peeked out from behind Hwang Seong. They were welcoming faces from the Literary Association who had helped me.
“So, your brother is with you, Hwang Seong.”
Staying up all night to buy colored heroic stories, I’m happy, but I just hope there isn’t a third sibling from the Hwang family.
“Those guys laid out their sleeping bags right after the Tea Bookstore closed last night!”
“Haha.”
The members of the Tea and Book Club were awed by the two Hwang brothers.
“Please come in! We’ll begin sales for Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family!”
I utilized the Small Wheel Mental Image Technique to announce the opening of the Tea Bookstore to the seemingly endless line.
“The Tea Bookstore is open!”
“Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family is mine! Move out of the way!”
“Stop! Anyone causing a ruckus will be kicked out, no matter when they arrived!”
As expected of the Tang Family martial artists. They are reliable.
When the martial artists of the Tang Family glared like hungry tigers at the entrance, the angry guests quieted down like gentle lambs as if they never caused a stir.
Once the momentary chaos settled, Hwang Seong from the Tea and Book Club stood first before Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family.
Buy it quickly. Why are you stopping?
“There’s been so much going on. The novel born from Yichang nearly vanished due to injustice and tyranny.”
Hwang Seong continued, gazing reverently at Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family as if it were a sacred book.
“I was so terrified I wouldn’t be able to see Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family!”
“I’ve been praying for months!”
“Cries! May Master Kang return! May Ho Pil never stop writing!”
The members of the Tea and Book Club couldn’t hide their overwhelming emotions as they recalled their suffering from the past.
I endured all the hardships, but who would know that the Tea and Book Club members were the ones standing in line.
“After a time of tribulation, we now stand before Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family.”
Hwang Seong advanced toward The Rise of the Tang Family with a gaze as deep as a lover’s.
“This volume is proof that a person can rise again despite any trials and tribulations. It’s a tribute to humanity, affirming that heartfelt wishes do come true!”
“Today, we will witness the third appearance of the new era hero, Tang Jung!”
“The book seems to glow! Is this the Sun Slash martial arts technique of Dong Yong?”
“I could die happy now!”
“Hey! You should see it before you die! I’m already trembling with excitement.”
“I’m shaking just thinking about seeing the two ladies!”
“…….”
“Other guests are waiting too.”
That’s too lengthy an introduction. Please consider those who are waiting in the back.
When I urged, Hwang Seong picked up Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family and approached me, bowing politely.
“Master Kang, welcome back. Thank you so much.”
When he makes such a fuss, it overwhelms me as a writer with joy.
“Thank you for your patience.”
What a long time it has been, for both the one returning and the ones waiting. Each must have had their own struggles.
As Ho Pil and the manager of the Tea Bookstore, I bowed respectfully to the Tea and Book Club.
“Please calculate the payment for three copies—one for preservation, one for appreciation, and one for study.”
“This time, it’s one book per person.”
“Oh… that can’t be.”
Release day for Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family.
The Tea Bookstore had to extend its operating hours due to the stream of guests until the sun set and the night deepened.
That day’s sales shattered the previous record set on the day of Volume 2’s release, surpassing decades of history in revenue with ease.
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