132

Chapter 132 - The Dang Family Saga, Volume 2 - 5

"Why is it interesting?"

The younger brother of Teacher Huang muttered to himself, his head deeply bowed and his hands clutching at his hair.

It's interesting. The protagonist is impressive, and the ladies are charming. The development of the story is thrilling, and the love story with the ladies is beautiful.

"Come back to your senses. I am a member of the Uichang Literary Circle. Such a vulgar novel isn't supposed to be interesting."

Uichang Literary Circle, a reading and critique group boasting history and tradition in Uichang.

It was a gathering that enjoyed the aphorisms of the sages, classical novels, and poetry and was the most authoritative group in Uichang regarding literature.

Teacher Huang's younger brother shook his head, trying hard to deny the enjoyment of The Dang Family Saga. He couldn't deny it, though there were undeniable facts.

He started reading the book at dusk. But now, morning bird songs could be heard outside.

In contrast to his head filled with torment, his loose belt, a face slightly more haggard than the night before and the mysterious bundles thrown in the trash.

Anyone could tell how engrossed he had been in The Dang Family Saga.

"I must control myself. I need to cultivate my mind with the classics!"

He was wrapped in delusion, nothing more. His eyes, as a member of the Uichang Literary Circle, had been momentarily clouded. He decided to purify his disordered heart with the classics and hastily took out the ones he often read from the bookshelf.

A stiff writing style. Dense sentences. Metaphors contained in every single character. You must contemplate the wisdom of the ancient sages, not just read a sentence but understand the context and meaning of each word.

The more you chew on it, the more the taste emerges, so very interesti…—

"It's not fun! No! ...Gasp! I, I threw the book."

Teacher Huang's younger brother picked up the classical novel he had just thrown, surprised. He was agitated. There was no way it wasn't interesting. It was just that the text was too compact with meanings, making it difficult to focus with a troubled mind.

It wasn't the book's fault. Among all the books that filled his shelf, there must be one that is more interesting than The Dang Family Saga.

Teacher Huang looked over his bookshelf diligently, but after failing to find such a book, his gaze inevitably fell back onto The Dang Family Saga lying on his desk.

How can there be any fun in a novel where the upright protagonist valiantly defeats villains and shares romantic episodes with a beautiful lady?

What's so impressive about the protagonist who seems frustratingly dull at times but acts with clarity and firm resolve when standing up for the weak?

What is so charming about the women who love him? Come to your senses. You really need to come to your senses.

It's no use. Even as I gather my wits, Sichuan's foremost beauty keeps haunting me.

Her scenes filled with a loving heart considering her beloved were really, really… He felt a sudden rush of blood to his lower body.

"Little brother, are you awake?"

"Yes, Brother!"

The younger brother, startled by his brother's voice from outside the door, responded like a student caught watching porn.

"Let's eat together."

"Of course, yes! Oh, this, this..."

Teacher Huang's younger brother, with the blood yet to subside in his lower half, couldn't straighten up properly.

"Is there something wrong?"

"No, nothing. I will tidy up my sleeping area first, so please go ahead."

"Usually you don't care about such things. Alright then."

Teacher Huang, with a curious voice, then left from the doorway. As his brother's presence disappeared, the younger brother breathed a sigh of relief and looked down at his unmanageable lower half.

'Why? Whhhhhy? Won't it subside! While Brother is waiting. That's right, let's read a classic for a while.'

He took a novel illustrating serene and untroubled life from the bookshelf and began to read it, pondering its meanings.

Although it was a novel that usually impressed him deeply, today it only served the purpose of calming the blood rushing to his lower body.

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"So, how was The Dang Family Saga?"

Sitting at the dining table, Teacher Huang asked his younger brother, who had borrowed the second volume of The Dang Family Saga the previous night, with expectant eyes.

"It was more readable than I thought," said Teacher Huang's younger brother with an expressionless face.

"More readable than you thought?"

"Certainly, for people who do not read as extensively as I do, it seems to be entertaining enough."

He spoke like a person giving a reasonable assessment of a movie good enough for killing time.

"Ah, I see. You belong to the Literary Circle, so it's different for you. I was expecting you this morning to talk about the charm of Huobei's foremost sword-maiden, Dou Yingxiang. It's a bit disappointing."

"Ha! Huobei's foremost sword-maiden, you say. While it's true that Dou Yingxiang is a captivating woman, her blood does not carry Korean heritage, does it? Now, what about Sichuan's foremost beauty? That singular beauty like a blossom. The gentle heart that truly capt... encapsulates a man's heart. Really, it's just…"

"Little brother?"

"Ah! It's nothing."

"Haha. I see now you're looking a bit haggard. That's how everyone gets when they first dive into this book."

Teacher Huang gazed at his younger brother with an expression that said he knew exactly what he had been up to all night.

"I have not been ensnared by The Dang Family Saga. Of course, it's an interesting book. But it's excessively sensational."

His face turned indignant at the brother's knowing expression.

"That's true, there are sensational parts. But it's not just about that; it's a novel with its own charm, and you've been caught up in it too, haven't you?"

"Indeed."

"Haha. So, you admit it. Then let's go to the literary gathering together."

"I still cannot accept it."

"Can't accept it? Didn't you find it enjoyable?"

"It might feel that way because it's a new type of novel. Or perhaps it's my youthful vigor. Therefore, I reserve my judgment and wish to consult with our teacher."

"Our teacher? You mean the teacher from the same Literary Circle?"

"Yes. I heard he just returned late last night from a visit to Muhuan. I plan to bring The Dang Family Saga to him for an unbiased assessment."

"Just say you enjoyed it instead of making it so complicated, little brother. If, by any chance, you are hoping to write a harsh critique for the gazette, your elder brother would not be pleased with that."

"That's a matter for the Literary Circle. I'll discuss it with the teacher and get an impartial review first."

"Fair enough. I do hope it won't be a harsh critique."

Having finished his meal, Teacher Huang's younger brother left the house.

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Before visiting his teacher's home, Teacher Huang's younger brother decided to stop by the bookstore.

"A proper protagonist should at least be like Tang Jeong."

"When will writer Ho Pil release the third volume?"

Despite not being at the Daso Academy, the surroundings buzzed with talk of The Dang Family Saga.

"The main wife will be Dou Yingxiang, right?"

"Of course! How could a woman from Sichuan aspire to take the place of Tang Jeong's main wife?"

The main wife should obviously be Sichuan's finest beauty, Gu Sukjeong.

For a moment, he wanted to interject, but he thought it unbecoming for an adult or a scholar to argue with strangers who held different views.

Swallowing his opinion, he picked up a few classic novels.

"The scene where Tang Jeong unfolds his hidden weapons was really cool. You should read it too."

"I should give it a read."

It's not hidden weapons but poisoned weapons.

How can this bookstore brazenly recommend The Dang Family Saga without even knowing the name of the protagonist's martial arts? No, I must endure. Mustn't get involved. He desperately calmed his mind.

"In volume 2, the layering of three different poisons with the flying hidden weapons was just amazing!"

"He only used two poisons, why are there three?"

"Oh? Were there two poisons on the hidden weapons?"

"Ah, right."

"The main reason is that Huobei's premier swordswoman, Dou Yingxiang, had pre-mixed one poison into the alcohol."

He couldn't hold back after all.

"That's right! Now I remember!"

The man who had been talking clapped his hands as if suddenly remembering, thanks to Teacher Huang's younger brother joining the conversation.

"And it's not just hidden weapons, it's poisoned weapons."

"Hahaha. Is that so? I must've skipped over that part when speed-reading."

The man scratched his head and spoke, slightly embarrassed, at the correction.

"The highlight of the scene shouldn't be skimmed over.... No, it shouldn't."

Teacher Huang's younger brother had the urge to snap back, but he held back desperately.

"Your passionate response… are you by chance a member of the Daso Club?"

"Not at all. I am not affiliated with any groups like the Daso Club."

"Haha. Then maybe you're a future Dasoean."

"I have no intention of joining."

"That's what all people like you say before they become Dasoeans."

"I, I have no intention of joining! How can a proud member of the Literary Circle ever join the Daso Club!"

The younger brother of Teacher Huang said with a heated voice.

"Why get angry over such a thing?"

"I apologize. I got a bit carried away. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some errands to run."

Noticing people around him paying attention, Teacher Huang's younger brother backpedaled and quickly exited the bookstore.

"Tsk tsk. How much he must love The Dang Family Saga."

"He protests too much, doesn't he know that's a sign of the opposite? These days, young scholars like him are not few. Now I'm curious to read it myself."

They watched the young scholar's retreating figure with pitying eyes.

-------------------------------

"Teacher, are you leaving?"

At his destination, Teacher Huang's younger brother was able to spot his teacher stepping outside.

"It's been a while. I need to buy something."

"Why not send a servant?"

"Ha, it's only by moving around like this that one can shake off travel fatigue. But what brings you here?"

"It's just... your student has a book he'd like to ask your thoughts on."

Unable to boldly request his teacher to review an erotic story, Teacher Huang's younger brother averted his gaze as he spoke.

"A book?"

Teacher Huang's younger brother fidgeted with The Dang Family Saga he had tucked away in his robe.

Surely the teacher would provide a proper evaluation. Unlike his youthful self, the teacher wouldn't be clouded by lust and vitality, but would offer a cool and sharp critique.

But was it the right thing to do?

Though his mind constantly sought to deny this novel, his heart was already filled with it. Did he really need someone else's judgment to confirm it was interesting?

Sichuan's exceptional youth, Tang Jeong. Sichuan's foremost beauty, Gu Sukjeong. Huobei's premier swordswoman, Dou Yingxiang. If the teacher criticizes the characters of this novel and considers it uninteresting, does it become an uninteresting novel?

He was engulfed in turmoil.

"What's the matter?"

He looked up, noticing his teacher's voice amidst his inner conflict.

Right. He was a proud member of the Uichang Literary Circle. It wasn't a commendable act for someone affiliated with the Literary Circle to indulge in such undignified novels.

Let it be judged.

"This is the book."

He handed volumes 1 and 2 of The Dang Family Saga to his teacher.

"Ha, isn't this The Dang Family Saga?"

The teacher seemed to recognize the novel.

"Do you know this book?"

"Of course, I do. The reason I'm going out is actually to buy the second volume."

"What?"

"I've heard it's tough to get a copy these days as Daso Club's stock is running low. To think you'd have gotten one for me. You truly are my student!"

The teacher looked at his student proudly.

"Have you already read the first volume?"

"As a person of the Uichang Literary Circle, isn't it obvious?"

"I assumed you wouldn't read such a vulgar novel."

"Ha. The saying goes 'one must study the past if one would define the future' (温故而知新, 可以为师矣). How could one who is to be a teacher focus solely on the old without considering the new? I simply didn't read it in front of you, as you were too earnest."

"Is, is that so."

Teacher Huang's younger brother gaped at his teacher in disbelief.

"I had resolved not to judge too quickly after only the first volume and have been waiting. Now that the second volume's reviews are also positive, I must read it today and write my review quickly."

"Ha, haha."

His teacher even acknowledged the novel. He felt oddly as if he himself had received recognition.

"So, was the second volume interesting?"

Holding the second volume, Teacher Huang's younger brother asked his teacher, who had inquired about his thoughts.

The Dang Family Saga.

A novel that even his teacher, a representative of the Literary Circle, acknowledged. His perception wasn't flawed. His appraisal was correct. There was no need to deny it unnecessarily anymore.

Then there is only one thing he could say.

"As a disciple, this is... no, it's the best novel I have ever read."

He had finally decided to acknowledge his own heart.

*********************

Truly a hectic life.

Opening the doors of Daso Academy in the morning, selling tea and coffee all day long. In his spare time, he organizes the bookstore and in the evening, helps Hwarin with the printing work.

At night, he skimps on sleep to plan the third volume.

And now, someth

ing has occurred to accelerate that pace even more.

"Yunho! A review of The Dang Family Saga has been published in the Uichang Gazette!"

"Bring it here. Let's see what they've written."

The local Uichang newspaper had published an article on The Dang Family Saga under the name of the Literary Circle.