133

Chapter 133 - Tang Family Saga Volume 2 - 6

Morning Paper.

Even during the Joseon era, newspapers existed, signifying the long history of the press. Of course, in this world where the restaurant serves quite fantastic dishes, newspapers existed as well.

Since the world did not change as quickly as reality and paper was scarce, the newspapers were not published daily, but were issued often enough that one could have a rough understanding of the affairs of the world.

"Look at this! There's a big article about the Tang Family Saga."

Hwarin pointed at the article with her finger, making a fuss.

"Let me see."

What have they written so largely about? The article on the Tang Family Saga dominated the front page of the Morning Paper.

"What if it's a bad review?"

Hwarin worriedly uttered.

"Right. If only we had the power to possess them."

"Huh?"

"It's nothing. With such length, I hope it's a commendation."

Generally, it's rare for reviews to be lengthy if they're purely criticism. There's no need to invest effort and time into writing when a single nasty comment would suffice.

Moreover, the trolls typically prefer one-sided exchanges, struggling to handle the backlash if their criticism is met with negative comments. That's why most reviews are neutral or positive.

Of course, in this instance, there was some unease since a man affiliated with the literary club had mentioned he'd pour out scathing criticism if he disliked it.

"Let's read it together."

Hwarin and I leaned our shoulders against each other and began to read the newspaper article.

[Tang Family Saga - Are we witnessing the birth of a new literary trend in our era?]

What's this? The title alone seems quite serious.

The Tang Family Saga article, published under the name of the literary club, corrected prejudices against the novel, provided a brief summary of the content, and described its popularity within the literary circle.

[Those who have not yet read the Tang Family Saga may dismiss it as merely an erotic novel. But the Tang Family Saga is different.]

[The prudish literati may think of it as vulgar erotica, a new kind of novel. Our literary circle approached this new genre with an open mind. Even in the scenes of love in the Tang Family Saga, we could see something special.]

[What about the love scenes in other erotic novels? They're merely peripheral. But the author Hopil of the Tang Family Saga was different.]

[At times, the expression might be straightforward, but this author knew how to employ elegant implications and descriptions like the classic novelists.]

It's amazing. Did I really use expressions in the love scenes that the literati would appreciate?

[Sumildo (Water Honey Peach).]

[These three characters, describing a peach with thin skin, juicy and sweet flesh, signify the beauty and charm of a woman's body in such a succinct way.]

[The expression crafted by author Hopil did not end there.]

[Seryuyo (Delicate Willow Waist).]

[Unsatisfied with merely indicating a slender waist, he created an expression that conveyed the soft and supple willow-like waist. And the mention of her waist curving like a bow. Can you not envision the beauty of willow branches bending like a bow?]

[His expressiveness is distinct from authors who only contemplate the peripherality of terms found in common vulgar books.]

[The lushness of a national treasure described as a fragrant grass forest, and countless other descriptions as precious as chrysanthemums, makes one question if this is merely an erotic novel.]

"I too found such expressions quite astounding. How do you come up with them?"

"I've always been strong in expression."

I said to Hwarin in an exaggerated voice filled with pride.

I'm a bit surprised myself. Who would've thought the expressions from classical erotica, which once dazzled an era, would be so highly praised?

The terms I used are frequently found in renowned deer-brand erotic stories of the past. I wrote them in reverence of the elder erotica authors, never expecting such high acclaim.

After all, what might be decades-old and outdated in the modern world could be seen as centuries ahead in this one.

"Ridiculous. Chuckle."

Hwarin laughed at me, and her sumildo (Water Honey Peach) jiggled. No, to be more precise, it was not a small and juicy peach but rather a melon (Watermelon) rich in water.

[Why are people turning their heads from the tales of martial arts to look at Tang? It is because the Tang Family Saga, while influenced by many classics, is an entirely new story.]

[The foundation of the story is a folk tale, one beloved by many, based on a hero's epic. The complexities of the martial world's obligations and grudges are weaved into a simple opposition of good and evil, making the distant yet familiar martial tales accessible through commonplace storytelling.]

[The identity of author Hopil remains unknown. However, viewing the correspondence made public through a past incident, one might guess he is a classicist scholar and impoverished writer.]

"Chuckle. They say you're a knowledgeable classicist. Are you pleased?"

Hwarin elbowed me teasingly, finding the literary club's misconception amusing.

"Yeah. Happy."

But the ribbing hurts, Hwarin. Let's moderate our strength.

[Adversity and hardship sharpen a man. Perhaps author Hopil, who has risen from poverty, through the genre of erotica, seeks to entertain the masses and inspire a rousing new wave against the prevailing apathy towards injustice, as gleaned from the protagonists' righteous spirit.]

[Tang Family Saga. Erotica. We may very well be witnessing the birth of a new literary trend in our world.]

Literary Trend.

I was lost in thought at the last sentence.

Days when I clutched my hungry stomach without food, nights I slept out in the rain with no place to call home. An existence where the injustices suffered by the strong-willed were ignored by all.

After enduring so much, here I was, standing tall at the Writers' Tower.

The world I had longed for - though disguised as erotica, the Tang Family Saga contained the martial world I dreamed of.

I may not have the ability to shatter the heavens or split the earth in this world as a mere writer.

I could not become a grandmaster of martial arts in the world of martial heroes. But as a writer, through erotica, martial arts fiction, and all the other genres I knew...

Under the name of author Hopil, couldn't I create a current of my own? This article seemed to acknowledge the possibility.

I was slightly moved.

"Yunho? What's the matter?"

Perhaps because I was silent with a serious look on my face, Hwarin asked me in a concerned tone.

"It's nothing. I'm just overwhelmed with being recognized like this."

"Yeah. That can happen. Here, the article ends but there's a small additional piece next to it."

Hwarin pointed to another piece by the same author with her finger.

[As an aside, there is something worrisome.]

Could it be an additional article written because it seems favorable from the standpoint of the Literary Club, but not from a personal perspective?

[Regrettably, the novel, based on chivalry and justice, and the righteous overcoming evil, is dividing readers. The problem is that this controversy is heating up to a point where not just the general public, but even the Literary Club, which emphasizes spiritual cultivation, is split in its opinions.]

[To cultivate one's moral self and to set one's family in order; it is the way for men to achieve stability at home before accomplishing beneficial deeds for the world. Our Literary Circle of Yi Chang thinks that the protagonist of our novel should marry his beloved consort, the number one beauty of Sichuan, rather soon and move the story forward...]

[The aside reflects the opinion of the author, not the stance of the Literary Club.]

"Wow, Yunho. This is an incredible commendation, isn't it?"

After finishing the article, Hwarin asked with a beaming expression.

"It seems so. With this, even those who weren't interested in the Tang Family Saga might give it another look."

"Could this mean we might pay off our debts by the end of the year?"

Hwarin spoke with her body wiggling in excitement, hopeful about a rosy future. Oh, the water-rich melon (Watermelon) shakes.

"If Hwarin diligently keeps printing books, it might be possible?"

With the popularity voting tickets and Tang Family Saga sales, it might not be a dream.

"Eek! I'll work hard."

Remembering the tough printing work ahead, Hwarin responded with a slightly grim expression.

"Good day."

While talking with Hwarin, a familiar customer along with another I had seen once before entered.

"Isn't that Master Hwang?"

"Yes. Young brother."

Master Hwang hinted to his brother beside him. Now that I looked, he was holding the Tang Family Saga dearly. The brother glanced at me and then shyly bowed his head.

"Thank you for the wonderful gift. It helped resolve a misunderstanding with my elder brother."

Was this friend the reason the Literary Club article was published? Wasn't it interesting?

"It's good to hear you resolved the misunderstanding with your elder brother. What brings you here today?"

In fact, climbing up to the second floor with the Tang Family Saga in hand could only mean one thing. Wanting to hear the obvious answer, I asked him.

The younger brother looked around with a bit of embarrassment and then spoke in a quiet voice, audible only to those nearby.

"Today, my elder brother and I wish to join the Daseo Society."

"You've come to the right place. Enjoy yourself while you're here."

I smiled contentedly at the answer I wished to hear and spoke.

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

Business at Daseo Pavilion started to do even better after the Tang Family Saga received recognition from the Literary Club. However, because business was going so well, an unexpected problem arose.

"The popularity vote. Isn't the number one beauty of Sichuan winning?"

"Even if we buy the Hyangah Coffee set, it seems like it won't make any difference."

The gap in the popularity poll was beginning to widen.