Chapter 012
"Black Brush Gang…"
Baek Sugyeong frowned as he set down his teacup at the name of the organization illegally copying and selling Wudang Sword Hero.
Even their name—Black Brush—felt like an open declaration of their crimes.
Jegal Yu explained calmly.
"They are copying and selling your novels without permission. The Alliance has sent people to capture them, but we've only caught a few. There are even rumors that they are connected to the Hao Sect."
"That's absurd."
He wasn't joking. He genuinely meant it.
The Hao Sect of the Unorthodox Faction was involved? Why?
"Of course, I understand that some readers lack money, but that doesn't excuse illegal copying."
"…Master Jegal is right."
This era had no concept of rental shops.
Libraries functioned as bookstores, lending halls, and copy centers all at once. Without affordable borrowing systems, accessing books cheaply was difficult.
But—
'Would it truly be impossible to operate a free lending system in this era?'
Baek Sugyeong narrowed his eyes in thought.
"Teacher Sugyeong…?"
"I can't think of a good solution."
"What are you pondering?"
Jegal Yu looked puzzled, likely assuming Sugyeong was worried about the fate of the Black Brush Gang members.
That wasn't the case.
'Those Black Brush bastards deserve to have their wrists cut off.'
'Those rotten thieves deserve nothing but the executioner's blade.'
He felt no mercy toward people who profited from his work without compensation.
The old innkeeper, the Murim Alliance, and honest readers were one thing.
But black-market profiteers?
No.
Their actions harmed not only him, but also So Ssanga.
"I'm not concerned about their punishment."
"Then…?"
"I was thinking about how to help those who can't afford to borrow my books."
"Oh."
Jegal Yu let out a small sound of surprise.
Establishing a public institution funded by taxes—like a library—was impossible.
If such a thing attracted the imperial court's attention, Baek Sugyeong's already precarious position would worsen.
'If my novels somehow lead to the creation of newspapers… I really don't need that kind of fantasy development.'
He sincerely hoped that wouldn't happen.
He just wanted to live quietly.
That was his only wish.
'Why did I ever write Wudang Sword Hero…'
It was too late for regret.
Had he not written it, he might have lived and died as an ordinary bookstore owner.
Who could have predicted this?
In a world starved for entertainment, anything popular spread like wildfire.
The problem was that Baek Sugyeong—an unknown writer—had risen too fast.
Sudden fame was never good.
Those who rose quickly became targets.
And targets were crushed.
He'd learned that lesson painfully in his past life.
"Teacher, you see things we cannot. I'm impressed."
"That praise is unnecessary."
He could only think this way because he came from the modern world.
Anyone from that era would.
He wasn't special.
Just a bookstore owner who wanted peace.
"By the way, Master Jegal."
"Yes, Teacher."
"What are these rumors about the Black Brush Gang being tied to the Hao Sect?"
Jegal Yu nodded.
"We've been suppressing the information so as not to disturb your writing."
"…Their existence alone is disturbing."
"Haha, true. But for an organization that appeared so suddenly, they're surprisingly large and organized."
Baek Sugyeong frowned.
"The military department suspects Unorthodox Faction involvement."
"Wait…"
His head throbbed.
"The Hao Sect… the Unorthodox Faction… why would they be involved?"
"What defines the Unorthodox Faction?"
Jegal Yu replied calmly.
"Money. Survival. Victory."
Baek Sugyeong nodded slowly.
Unlike the Orthodox Faction's ideals of honor and righteousness, the Demonic and Unorthodox Factions valued results.
Victory justified everything.
"So they see Wudang Sword Hero as profitable."
"Exactly."
"Is that really something the military department should be analyzing?"
Jegal Yu's expression grew serious.
"You underestimate the impact of your work."
"Your novel revived the Wudang Sect."
"What?"
Baek Sugyeong froze.
"Since the novel's popularity, applications to Wudang have increased exponentially."
"I've been secluded while writing."
That explained it.
Even So Ssanga hadn't mentioned this.
Baek Sugyeong rubbed his forehead.
"So… my book revived Wudang?"
"Yes. Elders from the Nine Sects request private meetings with you daily."
Cold sweat trickled down his spine.
"That's… excessive."
"Understandable."
Jegal Yu nodded sympathetically.
The pressure only mounted.
He'd already heard of martial artists gaining enlightenment from his writing.
Now this?
'This is becoming real.'
"By the way," Jegal Yu added, "Wudang recently discovered a lost martial art."
"What?"
"A sword manual left by Sword Immortal Hyeonun."
Baek Sugyeong clutched his head.
'This is insanity.'
Peaceful life?
Gone.
"Why is this happening to me?!"
...
After he finally calmed down, Jegal Yu continued.
"We're investigating the Black Brush Gang's backers, but the Hao Sect operates in cells."
"This is too much for one book."
Baek Sugyeong looked utterly exhausted.
'At this rate, my mental health won't survive.'
Covering his face, he sighed.
"I just want a normal life."
"You're too famous now."
"…I know."
He lifted his teacup.
The familiar aroma steadied him.
Slurp.
"I wish we could cut off their wrists as we catch them."
"We can't. Many are powerless commoners. We'll work with government offices."
"I see."
The Murim Alliance naturally had government ties.
Surveillance was mutual.
Still—
'I hope my book hasn't reached the imperial palace.'
That thought alone was terrifying.
Jegal Yu rose.
"We'll strengthen your protection."
"Master Kang is enough."
"Even so…"
Jegal Yu hesitated.
'A man who changes Murim with a brush…'
This influence was dangerous.
I'll assign Shadow Pavilion personnel.
"Rest well, Teacher."
"Please be careful."
"…I understand."
Watching Jegal Yu leave, Baek Sugyeong sighed deeply.
"At this rate, I won't die naturally."
And disturbingly—
That seemed entirely possible.