The Rise of the Tang Family Volume 3
I got the permission to publish the next volume of The Rise of the Tang Family from the Sichuan Tang Family, but it was unreasonable to publish it right after arriving in Yichang.
I’m a barbarian writer, Ho Pil, not a web novel author.
Written by Ho Pil. Published by Kang Yoon-ho. Sold at the Tea Bookstore. I have to do it all myself.
Even if I write Volume 3, I need to print the books with a printing press and sell them at the Tea Bookstore to make a profit.
If I could use the Cloning Technique, it would have been possible, but I can’t use that; what are you looking at? That’s just my afterimage. I can’t even use the Unusual Transformation Technique to shout.
Eventually, after finding a staff member to do the printing and reopening trade with suppliers of materials, I finally started the printing.
“W-What? Is The Rise of the Tang Family Volume 3 in printing?”
Im Ha-yeon widened her eyes in surprise, then glanced back and forth between the box I was holding and the printing room.
She looks ready to bolt out of here. I need to stop her.
“Even if you go, Miss Ha-yeon, you won’t be able to enter the printing room. I’ve told the staff to keep the door locked from the inside.”
Don’t even think about stealing. I warned her with reasons instead of saying it outright.
“There are ways to do things like that.”
“…….”
Is there?
Im Ha-yeon stared at the printing room with eyes full of eagerness, like a treasure hunter seeking legendary relics.
Of course, the next Shadowless Thief. If it wasn’t my bookstore being targeted, I think she would have inquired about methods excitedly.
“No. That’s not what I meant… H-Huh, does that mean someone else could do that?”
Did she realize the meaning of my silence? Im Ha-yeon stumbled over her words, flustered.
If she thinks I suspect her of stealing, she might feel offended. Although it’s a few days earlier than planned, I should stick to the plan.
“Well said. I have something to tell you in secret because of my The Rise of the Tang Family.”
I led her to a secluded corner of the Tea Bookstore.
“What?”
Im Ha-yeon is the next Shadowless Thief. But there’s no need to start the legendary next Shadowless Thief saga in the Tea Bookstore.
If a regular employee were a thief, I would have imprisoned them immediately, sending them to the guillotine, but Im Ha-yeon is a character from a martial arts romantic comedy.
Moreover, as an employee at the Tea Bookstore, she’s an S-grade asset.
She’s a tricky little cat to handle, but there’s a reason to tame her.
Im Ha-yeon has a lot of things she can do as a Tea Bookstore employee, and she might be the true heroine. So I can’t let her steal from my bookstore; I need to make her work hard as my employee.
I need to turn Im Ha-yeon from a troublesome thieving cat into a fussy pet cat.
What should I do?
‘Let’s put a bell on the thieving cat.’
I already have a plan.
“From now on, everything I say about The Rise of the Tang Family must be known only by you, Miss Ha-yeon.”
Let’s start with bonding.
Sharing secrets will make the two of us closer.
I pushed her into a secluded corner of the Tea Bookstore, creating a secretive atmosphere, stepping a little closer to speak quietly.
“What, w-what is it? Is there a problem with Volume 3?”
When I spoke seriously about the long-awaited novel, Im Ha-yeon asked with an anxious expression.
“The Rise of the Tang Family Volume 3 is being printed in secret. It’s all proceeding confidentially until we announce the release news in the near future.”
The printing of Volume 3 started a few days ago. Although I told her to keep it a secret, you never know where a secret might leak.
What if news of Volume 3 reaches her ears without my knowledge?
That cold, heavy feeling. I would have to shout that it’s time to go back to being the Shadowless Thief.
Im Ha-yeon’s fandom is extraordinary. Rather, I need to directly let Im Ha-yeon know that Volume 3 is being printed and control her.
“Secret? Why? Isn’t it better to promote in advance?”
“Because of leaks.”
“I’ve heard about it through Ho Pil. Do you know about the unauthorized sale incident of Volume 1?”
“I’ve heard about it through the Hahoongmun.”
“During the unauthorized sale incident, the damages for the Tea Bookstore were severe. The Tea Bookstore was in such a crisis that it was on the verge of closing down.”
“Now, there shouldn’t be anyone huge in Yichang willing to print The Rise of the Tang Family, right?”
That’s true. But there’s one fact you’re overlooking.
“The Rise of the Tang Family is no longer just a famous novel in Yichang, is it?”
“Oh.”
Im Ha-yeon seemed to realize she had overlooked something crucial, her mouth slightly ajar.
Im Ha-yeon read The Rise of the Tang Family under an umbrella. Even if I could assert copyright in Yichang, it’s not yet possible elsewhere.
“Who knows what those blinded by money might do?”
“That could happen.”
“The Tea Bookstore needs to make profits from The Rise of the Tang Family to pay Miss Ha-yeon’s salary and support the working students, so we’re especially cautious about this right now.”
Im Ha-yeon. The first bell I will put on you is the bell of conscience.
If our leak incident happens, you, me, and all working students will be in trouble. Got it?
“……”
Did I manage to put that bell of conscience on her properly?
Realizing how serious the situation is, Im Ha-yeon wore a solemn expression.
“And if a leak occurs, there will be a huge problem.”
Let’s move on. Im Ha-yeon might think that if she doesn’t publish it, someone else will.
“What’s a problem bigger than that? What could it possibly be?”
There’s a very big problem.
I pushed her against the wall and stepped in closer.
Before I told her, I made a distressed expression, as if I was about to fall into a situation I don’t even want to imagine.
With a heavy expression, I began to spill the painful truth.
“Ho Pil… will rise again.”
“Ah….”
“Ho Pil the author is a sensitive person. I didn’t write a single word while I was gone. I was so worried that I even lost weight.”
I didn’t have time to write after going to the Sichuan Tang Family, and I lost weight due to prolonged travel.
“What?! Is Ho Pil author’s health okay?”
Im Ha-yeon’s eyes and mouth widened as she looked at me in shock.
“When I returned safely to Yichang, I regained my strength. But if I hear news that the next work has leaked, it would be an enormous shock. It’s said that my heartache from The Rise of the Tang Family was so severe that I considered giving up writing altogether.”
The second bell is Ho Pil’s potential retirement. For fans of The Rise of the Tang Family, that would be unbearable, right?
“No way! Giving up on writing?! Ho Pil author must continue writing!”
Whoa! Lower your voice! Someone might hear.
“Shh!”
I brought a finger to my lips and hurried closer to her.
“Eek!”
Am I too close? Im Ha-yeon, feeling the pressure, recoiled a bit. It’s okay. This is a perfect position to warn her.
“Let’s speak quietly.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
Im Ha-yeon averted her gaze and asked in a curt tone.
Are you feeling anxious? Do you think I suspect you of being a thief? Even if it’s reasonable suspicion, you might not feel good about it.
But what if I’m not saying this for that reason?
“Because, despite knowing how to jump over someone else’s fence, I don’t have dreams of doing so.”
By quoting what Im Ha-yeon said, I showed her empathy. This might lower the guard of that vigilant thieving cat.
I smiled gently to reassure her and opened my mouth to put that bell on her.
“What do you mean?”
The thieving cat asked me with a hint of relaxed vigilance.
Even if I put a bell on the cat collar, if the cat doesn’t wear the collar, it’s pointless.
So how do I make sure she wears it herself?
“You’re the only one who can do this. I don’t know where rumors might spread, so if you see anyone suspicious, please step up.”
Just give the cat a hat.
“Me?”
“Please. The Rise of the Tang Family was something that I, Ho Pil, risked my life to protect. We need to print a large quantity to meet public demand, then start promoting once we’re ready.”
I held her wrists gently, as if to say that I trust her.
I trust you.
Don’t become a thief, become a thief catcher. If I put a “hat” that isn’t a hat on you, you won’t easily betray my trust.
“Um, your face is too close.”
“Oh! I’m sorry.”
As I took a step back, Im Ha-yeon scuttled away to the corner like a cunning thieving cat.
I’ve said all I needed to. Now it’s your turn to respond.
Is it a success or failure?
Im Ha-yeon, looking at my awkward smile, gave me a pouty look before finally speaking.
“I’ll let you know immediately if I see anyone suspicious.”
Success! I’ve finally put a bell on the cat’s neck.
After responding, Im Ha-yeon headed upstairs like a thieving cat that still hasn’t completely submitted.
She truly is a hard employee to manage.
Please don’t peek.
I’ve already strapped on triple layers of bells. The bell of conscience, the potential retirement of Ho Pil, my trust, and the “hat” that isn’t a hat, all on her.
Now, every time Im Ha-yeon thinks about stealing The Rise of the Tang Family, the bells I planted will ring in her heart.
Once I could no longer see her black cheongsam trailing off, I quietly muttered to myself.
“From today, I need to enhance security at the Tea Bookstore even more.”
I must lock the doors tightly.
