Chapter 005
Having regained consciousness once before, Baek Sugyeong only felt a stiffness in the back of his neck, but the psychological damage he had received was greater than expected.
What was so special about a book that it warranted importing and selling alcohol not even available in Hubei?
And the business was thriving!
They even offered discounts to customers who brought books!
This was maddening.
Quickly composing his expression while swallowing a sigh, Baek Sugyeong said,
"I'd like a bowl of noodles. No alcohol."
"Is there anything else you need?"
"Some braised meat if you have it."
"I'll check with the kitchen."
After the server left, Baek Sugyeong sighed.
This was having a much bigger impact than he had anticipated.
If he wasn't careful, he might soon see bamboo leaf liquor in taverns across the Central Plains.
'Is this right?'
He would need to meet with Owner Jang after his meal.
"Your noodles and braised meat are here!"
First, let me eat.
...
After sending word, someone came.
Baek Sugyeong leisurely waited in the annex, sipping tea until Owner Jang arrived.
Of course, he didn't stop writing during that time.
As he dipped his fine brush in ink to jot down ideas, he heard the door open.
Wiping the ink from his brush and closing the lid, Baek Sugyeong turned his gaze.
"It's been a while, Owner Jang."
"B-Baek Scholar."
Owner Jang's face was pale.
He seemed to think Baek Sugyeong was here to interrogate him.
If I had been bullied by the Wudang Sect, I would have been more than dead.
I couldn't do the same to Owner Jang.
If nothing else, for fear of the Wudang Sect.
"Do you think I'm here to interrogate you?"
"A-aren't you?"
"The fact that my head is still attached despite someone using the Wudang Sect's name without permission is due to the sect's mercy."
Baek Sugyeong set down his cup of cold tea and said,
"So I'm in no position to presumptuously punish you."
"I-I see."
"Still, you could have at least told me you were using my name. I came back after three months away and was shocked to see my name and book title displayed."
"I apologize, Teacher. But the two Taoists from the Wudang Sect…"
"Ah."
He was referring to Jeong Jin and Jeong U, the two senior brothers.
Thanks to those two, there hadn't been any major incidents at the pavilion lately, but it seemed Owner Jang's messenger had been intercepted by them.
Wiping sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, Owner Jang said,
"Besides, you were in seclusion for three months. I had no opportunity to speak with you. The truth is, my business was on the verge of collapse, so I thought I might rely on your name…"
"I see."
To be fair, Jeongnyeong Inn wasn't in the best location.
It was some distance from Wuhan's bustling areas.
As a small inn frequented only by regulars like Baek Sugyeong, it made sense that Owner Jang might make one last attempt by using his name.
And it had been a great success.
Owner Jang bowed his head.
"Of course, I did use your name and work without permission. I've been anxiously waiting for your return."
"If I hadn't come back, you would have continued doing this?"
"Are you mocking my pettiness?"
At Owner Jang's words, Baek Sugyeong smiled.
"Such is the way of life—why would I mock you? I too might have been too afraid to approach. You're brave to tell me this."
"Ha, haha…"
"I'll give you formal permission. It's rather amusing to be officially recognizing this now, but there might be those who would make an issue of it."
Owner Jang was the owner of the inn Baek Sugyeong had frequented whenever he had time since settling in Wuhan three years ago.
"You may use my name. However, as you're doing business under my name, I hope you'll never deceive customers or serve small portions."
"Of course! Absolutely! Furthermore, I'll change the inn's name to Sugyeong Inn and send you one-tenth of the profits every month!"
"There's really no need for that…"
Owner Jang shook his head.
"It would ease my conscience. Since the inn has grown using your name, please allow me to do this."
"…If that's what would make Owner Jang comfortable."
"Thank you, Teacher! Hey! Is anyone outside?!"
"Yes, Owner!"
"I'll host a banquet for the teacher! Bring food and drinks!"
"Yes!"
This looked like it might unexpectedly tie him down.
Still, it was resolved better than expected.
And he had gained an additional source of income.
Owner Jang said,
"This banquet is just for you, Teacher, so please enjoy yourself!"
...
The White Cloud Pavilion, which always opened on time, was closed.
A huge sign declaring "No Visitors" was erected in front of the pavilion, where crowds of people usually gathered.
The two Wudang Sect Taoists, Jeong Jin and Jeong U, were nowhere to be seen.
Even Baek Sugyeong wasn't visible, but no one complained about it.
The sign stated that Baek Sugyeong would return after resting for about a month.
Of course, the reaction to the one-month hiatus of Wudang Sword Hero was intense.
"How can this be! A hiatus! It's not like Wudang Sword Hero comes out every day anyway!"
"I inquired at the Auspicious Cloud Trading Company, and they said he really is taking a break and has left on a journey."
"Damn it! Do I have to keep reading volume three until the next one comes out? This is torture!"
"Heh, he'll come back eventually, so why worry?"
"This guy hasn't read Wudang Sword Hero!"
"No true reader would say that!"
"Catch the pretender!!"
"Damn, I've been found out!"
It was chaos.
Regardless of the reaction to the hiatus, Baek Sugyeong was traveling down the Yangtze River, staying near Lake Honghu.
"So this is the Great Yunmeng Marsh."
Pulling out a blank book from his chest, Baek Sugyeong wrote down his impressions of Lake Honghu's magnificent scenery with a satisfied nod.
He had learned from ancient books that the Lake Honghu area was originally a vast royal hunting ground.
The large lake, once the hunting ground of the Chu king, had split into smaller lakes—most became land, with a portion remaining to form Lake Honghu.
"What a magnificent view."
Should this even be called a lake?
Though he knew from modern knowledge that China had freshwater lakes of this size, seeing it in person shocked him.
A lake so vast it could be called a sea.
He had heard it was one of the largest lakes in the Central Plains, but seeing Lake Honghu firsthand filled him with excitement.
"You look happy, Owner."
"This is freedom I haven't enjoyed in a long time. Do you know how difficult it is to be pressured to write every day?"
"But you're earning well for it, aren't you?"
Baek Sugyeong chuckled at So Ssanga's words.
"Unfortunately, inspiration sometimes comes from taking breaks and visiting different places like this. There are things you can't gain by staying cooped up in a room all the time."
"I always feel you're more eloquent than expected, Owner."
"I learned it while working at the escort agency."
Baek Sugyeong smiled as he gazed at Lake Honghu.
The blue lake was completely surrounded by green lotus leaves.
A small red-painted boat glided across it.
The small boat carrying tourists, including So Ssanga and Baek Sugyeong, drew a red line across the lake, which could just as well be called a lotus pond for its vast expanse of leaves.
"I asked to meet you here because I have bad news."
"Bad news… illegal manuscript copies are circulating, I presume."
"!"
Seeing So Ssanga's expression, Baek Sugyeong smiled.
"H-how did you know?"
"Where there's popularity, illegality thrives. Didn't you say it was so popular it was causing shortages?"
"Well, yes, but…"
"I may not be a merchant, but I have that much sense."
Baek Sugyeong looked down at the surface of Lake Honghu and said,
'Human greed is hard to measure. Once people start being greedy, they tend to cross lines even when they know better. If you're greedy beyond your means, you'll inevitably suffer harm and misfortune.'
Pausing dramatically, he turned to So Ssanga.
"I hope Guild Leader So doesn't indulge in unnecessary greed. It's better to learn to be content with what you have now."
"Ugh."
"Don't expand your business recklessly. If you reach out in all directions before properly establishing your foundation, even the most carefully built tower will collapse in an instant."
"You knew?"
Baek Sugyeong nodded as he pulled out his fine brush from his chest.
No matter how busy he was managing the pavilion and writing Wudang Sword Hero, he always kept an ear out for news about So Ssanga.
A trading company that had once fallen on hard times had been rising like an active volcano since taking on the exclusive supply and promotion of Wudang Sword Hero.
"So don't be too greedy, Guild Leader So. What rises to fullness like the full moon will eventually wane."
When the moon waxes to fullness, it naturally wanes to become a crescent again.
No matter how rapidly the Auspicious Cloud Trading Company was rising, a small mistake could potentially be fatal.
"I'll take your golden words to heart, Owner."
"I'll leave the matter of illegal copies to the Auspicious Cloud Trading Company… but if it gets too difficult, let me know. I'll try to resolve it, even if I have to borrow the power of the Wudang Sect."
"Yes."
While writing a passage describing the scenery of Lake Honghu in his book, Baek Sugyeong said,
"Show no mercy to such people when you catch them. A cleaver would be best."
"A-a cleaver?"
"People who illegally copy things are likely involved in gambling and such. It would be better to just cut off their hands."
In the Central Plains, it's a cleaver; in modern times, it would just be "life is practice."
Closing his book and putting his fine brush back in his chest, Baek Sugyeong said,
"The Auspicious Cloud Trading Company has prospered because of the exclusive supply of my book. If illegal copies circulate, it will also impact the trading company."
"…That's true."
The trading company was just recovering from its decline and regaining prosperity.
If there were problems with the exclusive supply of Wudang Sword Hero, the company's main source of funds would be affected.
Although they were focusing on other businesses as well, the company's financial lifeline essentially came from Wudang Sword Hero.
If something went wrong there, the company might falter.
So Ssanga's face hardened.
"Owner."
"Speak."
"Could you possibly write a notice for us?"
She was fired up.
Well, it made sense.
Her family, just being rebuilt, was facing another crisis.
Baek Sugyeong nodded readily.
"As the original author, I'll lend a hand."
"I'll definitely resolve this!"