The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel-Chapter 120: Publication - 2

The moment when one must face the results of their efforts is always tense.

I stared at the hundreds of copies of Storm of the Tang Clan displayed on the first floor.

Somehow, I was reminded of stories where doujin authors, overflowing with enthusiasm, placed massive bulk orders only to struggle with leftover stock.

In the real world, I was a moderately experienced author. But here, I was a rookie writer—Ho-pil. On top of that, the book wasn’t even pure smut, but a fusion of martial arts and erotica—a Colorful Chivalry novel.

If I were just a typical author, I might’ve worried that all of it would end up as unsold inventory.

‘But I’m both the writer and the bookstore owner. Doesn’t matter.’

Customers would be confronted by my book the moment they stepped into the shop. And even if they ignored it and went to browse other titles, I’d placed it in every major traffic path. Hell, I even set it up right at the final display stand.

This was a full-blown ad blitz!

If this were a modern web novel platform, people would be asking if I had blackmail on the CEO's private tastes—because that’s how hard I was pushing it.

“Aren’t you going up to Daseogak?”

Tang Hwa-rin approached after finishing the display of Storm of the Tang Clan in its designated spot.

“I want to stay and watch at least one copy get sold.”

Gotta witness my first sale. It’s the first time since I came to this world that my book will be officially sold—I have to see it with my own eyes.

“Do you really think Storm of the Tang Clan will sell?”

Hwa-rin eyed the mountain of books with an uneasy look.

“It’s the book we made together. It’ll sell well.”

I’d written it using a plot that was already proven popular in the modern world. Sure, I was the one who penned it, [N O V E L I G H T] but I’d fused martial arts and erotica well—it was a solid, entertaining story. I was confident.

“We made it together... Yeah. That’s right.”

Maybe my words got through. Hwa-rin’s worried eyes softened, and she looked at Storm of the Tang Clan with something like a pleased smile.

The book really did carry a lot of Hwa-rin’s input.

She had reviewed the Tang Clan martial arts to make sure everything felt authentic. Not to mention, I’d poured into the novel my own disoriented infatuation, stirred by Hwa-rin’s overwhelming presence—this wasn’t just a pretty flower swaying gently; it was a storm that had shaken me.

The book turned out well. The display was complete.

Now all I had to do was deploy my secret weapon.

“Hwa-rin. Help me with this before the store opens.”

I pulled out a sack containing the secret weapon.

“What is that?”

Hwa-rin asked, startled.

“This is what’s going to make Storm of the Tang Clan fly off the shelves.”

“Are you sure this will help?”

“Of course.”

Together, Hwa-rin and I prepared the secret weapon and got ready to welcome our first customers.

***

“Welcome!”

Scholar Hwang once again showed up bright and early to the newly renovated bookstore.

It had once been a dusty, outdated shop run by the Baek Family. Rumor had it that the old shop had been overhauled and inherited by the granddaughter after she caused a storm. And true enough, the place had changed drastically.

Unlike other bookstores where books were stuffed in without thought, this one was well-organized by theme, trending topics, and practical use.

One particularly charming feature was that you could browse the books freely without needing a clerk’s permission.

‘Today’s the day the “Manager’s Pick of the Week” changes.’

That was why Scholar Hwang had come first thing in the morning. The store manager’s tastes aligned surprisingly well with his own.

How did the man find such hidden gems that had been long buried?

Even his friends had given him the nickname “Hwang-gu” (Yellow Dog) because of his love for digging through old, yellowing pages to find literary treasures. But the manager here? He was clearly on another level.

Apparently, he wasn’t the only one who thought this. Come too late in the day, and the week’s best picks would already be sold out.

What would this week’s pick be? Heart full of anticipation, Scholar Hwang stepped into the store.

“Promotional placards?”

He walked toward one of the signs newly posted throughout the store.

[If you’re done, get out. Done with what? To find out, read Storm of the Tang Clan.]

[This novel is amazing! This year’s sensation!]

[This month’s staff pick! Recommended with the manager’s name on the line!]

[How a chivalrous warrior devours the young mistress like a slice of cake.]

[A brand-new genre taking the Central Plains by storm and making foreigners tremble—Colorful Chivalry!]

“What in the world is this...?”

Scholar Hwang stared at the signs around the store, unable to close his gaping mouth.

“Scholar Hwang! A phenomenal new novel has just been released, so we’re running a huge promotional campaign!”

The black-haired manager walked over to him with a bright smile.

“How phenomenal does it have to be for you to advertise it this outrageously?”

“It’s a Colorful Chivalry novel. A wildly popular genre in Joseon right now. Bookstores are swamped the moment one drops. And now, we’re the exclusive publisher. Of course we’re going to promote it like crazy.”

“Colorful Chivalry? Isn’t that just smut?”

“There’s some steamy content, yes—but it’s also about the martial world. It’s an all-in-one entertainment package. You can’t keep it in stock in Joseon.”

“Hmph... Ho-pil, you say? Never heard of that pen name before.”

Scholar Hwang glanced at the name printed on the corner of the book and narrowed his eyes skeptically.

“Scholar Hwang. Have my recommendations ever let you down?”

“Well, no, they haven’t. Still, Storm of the Tang Clan, huh? Wait, don’t tell me—this is about the Tang Clan?”

Scholar Hwang’s eyes widened as he picked up the book and looked at me.

“Haha, yes. The main character is from the Tang Clan.”

“A smut novel with a protagonist from the Sichuan Tang Clan?! If you say so, Manager, I’ll buy it without even checking the content.”

A genre he’d never heard of before—Colorful Chivalry.

Normally, Scholar Hwang would’ve hesitated to buy it. But the over-the-top placards, combined with the fact that it was about the Sichuan Tang Clan, made it impossible to resist.

“Thank you very much!”

Scholar Hwang purchased Storm of the Tang Clan along with a few other books he had originally planned to buy, and left the store grinning from ear to ear, waving back at the smiling manager who saw him off.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

------

"Another novel first thing in the morning, huh?"

Scholar Hwang's close friend pointed to the book he had brought as they sat down for lunch.

"It’s not like reading is a crime for a scholar..."

"That only applies to academic books. What you’re reading is practically smut. You really gonna blow every coin you earn on books? Might as well spend that money at a pleasure house, man."

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

"You just don’t get the appeal of novels. A night at the pleasure house costs a fortune and lasts one round. But books—books are like dishes you can chew a hundred times and still find new flavor."

"You mean stuff you can bang a hundred times and still not get tired of."

"Ahem. Must you put it so crudely?"

Scholar Hwang gave an awkward cough and nervously glanced around to see who might have overheard.

"See? You’re not even denying it. If you’re into lewd stuff, just go to a pleasure house already. Go grope some courtesan’s tits instead of fondling a damn paperback."

His friend looked at him with visible pity.

"I’m telling you, this is better than a pleasure house. It’s more fun. More satisfying."

"Your nickname’s Hwang-gu and now you’re barking nonsense like a dog too? Even that ‘amazing’ smut you recommended last time didn’t do it for me."

"Ahem. You really have no understanding of what makes a novel good."

Scholar Hwang gazed at his friend with genuine regret. That book he’d recommended last time—he’d found it to be the most entertaining read in recent memory. And even that hadn’t managed to sway his friend?

It’d be great if they could share not just conversation, but hobbies too.

Just as that bit of melancholy set in, he suddenly remembered the book he’d bought that morning.

"Friend. Take a look at this one."

"Storm of the Tang Clan? What’s this?"

"A novel recommended by that trendy bookstore I mentioned. It’s a story about the Sichuan Tang Clan. I hear it’s got some spicy stuff in it too. If my usual picks don’t work for you, maybe give this one a try."

"Alright, sure. I’ll give it a read. But if it sucks, next time, you’re coming with me to the pleasure house."

Despite his reluctance, Scholar Hwang’s friend took the book, eyeing Hwang’s confident expression.

--------

"Maybe I should’ve given him a different book."

Evening. After finishing his daily routine and skimming through the books he’d bought, Scholar Hwang clutched his head in frustration. They were dull. Predictable. Not even stimulating.

Storm of the Tang Clan. He should’ve read it first.

Regret gnawed at him as he wondered if any of the books he owned were worth a second read.

That’s when it happened.

— BAM! BAM! BAM!

Loud knocking startled Scholar Hwang, and he rushed toward the door.

"Who is it?"

"It’s me!"

It was the voice of his friend from lunch. Scholar Hwang opened the door in surprise.

"What brings you here at this hour?"

"Huff... huff..."

"You ran here? Sit. I’ll get you some water—"

"Huff! Huff! Forget that! Here! This!"

His friend pointed with urgency at what he held in his hand.

It was Storm of the Tang Clan—the same book Hwang had handed him earlier that day.

"Storm of the Tang Clan? What about it?"

"This book! Earlier! You—you bought a bunch of books, right?"

"Take a breath, then talk."

"Next volume! Give me the next one!"

"...What?"

"I need Volume 2! Hurry!"