216

Chapter 216 - New Employee - Part 2

Contest.

A recruitment process for new writers, where confident writers strut their stuff and challenge others for awards at a literary event, the contest.

If the contest itself is famous, winning it alone can bring money and honor, and can serve as a tremendous promotion for future serialization.

It's an entrance exam worth a try for those who truly believe in their writing.

"Does the Uichang Literary Society organize events for new writers as well?"

A new writer event. From what I've heard from the Hwang brothers, it seems that the Uichang Literary Society holds a contest for new writers.

I thought that literary societies were where scholars gathered to hold reading meetings and enjoy poetry and calligraphy, and drank and reveled together.

"The chairman of the Uichang Literary Society is a very distinguished scholar, so much so that he advised the Emperor. He went back to his hometown of Uichang to establish the literary society, and regularly searches for poor writers who are buried in obscurity."

"He has been doing very meaningful work."

When a distinguished official retires from his post, it's common in Joseon for them to return to their hometown and teach students.

It seems that the chairman of the literary society also conducts his small-scale search for writers.

"Yes. The events of the Uichang Literary Society are not only famous in Uichang, but also in the nearby cities including the Muhwan in the Hobukseong."

It seems to be a very famous event indeed.

Well, since contests themselves are rare in this world, it is likely that even the Director of the Judging Panel, who hails from the Hallimwon, has established his authority.

"Are you inviting me to be a judge at such a meaningful event?"

"Yes. I would like to invite Director Kang Yoon-ho to the event that will be held soon."

"But I am not a member of the literary society."

"Normally, only literary society members can judge, but this time, I especially want to invite Director Kang Yoon-ho."

"What is the reason for inviting me to an event hosted by the literary society?"

"For us scholars, the artistry and literary quality of the writing are important, but for the poor writers, isn't it important to have someone who can judge how well the writing can sell? There's no one in Uichang who can understand that as well as the manager of the most famous bookstore in Uichang."

"Are you asking me to judge if the writing is marketable?"

It seems to be akin to a judge in a publishing house or a web novel platform, asking to discern the commercial viability of the writing.

"Many members of the literary society feel that they lack insight into novels due to their lack of experience. I hope that Director Kang Yoon-ho can come as a judge and provide assistance."

It's an honorable position indeed. But I don't particularly feel like doing it.

I took a step back for now.

"It's burdensome for a mere bookstore manager to be invited as a judge to such a big event."

"Don't say that! Who else but Manager Kang Yoon-ho discovered the eminent writer of the world! It's you, Manager Kang Yoon-ho!"

"It was just luck. If the eminent writer had knocked on the door of the literary society, it would have been the literary society that discovered the eminent writer."

"Luck! If I had been the judge, the novel clouded by my clumsy perspective would have been eliminated in the judging process! Besides, not a single award-winning work at the literary society has only the eminent writer's novel clouded in it!"

"Thank you for the praise, but I'm busy preparing for the store's reopening."

"How can you not accept this?"

Give me some money, at least. I was about to say that to the Hwang brothers who were looking at me with earnest faces, but I swallowed my words.

Receiving money is nice. But I am also a skilled professional, and would I just do it for free? A self-employed business owner's time is precious, you know.

Seems like they don't bring up the idea of giving money, probably because it's an esteemed position, and if I ask for money, they might frown upon it, saying that I am materialistic.

"There's no reason for me to be a judge if there's no benefit."

If I become a judge, I will be losing a lot of time.

I should prepare for the reopening of Dansagak, hire employees, and revisit our trading partners.

It may be a prestigious event recognized in Hobukseong, but I don't have the time for that.

Even if it's a renowned event... 

'Wait a minute... a renowned event?'

For a brief moment, a good idea flashed through my mind.

The most authoritative event in Hobukseong. Moreover, it was said to be an event recognized among writers.

Then, if not for money, there must be a way to gain something.

"Then please grant me one favor."

I proposed to the Hwang brothers in a solemn tone.

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"Why walnut cookies?"

"A friend brought it as a gift when I returned safely."

I came back to the present unscathed, so I decided to resume my rightful place.

"There are plenty of walnut cookies. Want some red bean paste too?"

"Give me one too."

"Did you get them from a fancy bakery?"

"I need to go inside and take a rest."

"Don't you want to eat the walnut cookies? The outer layer is crispy, and the inside is moist, they are really delicious."

"I had some on the way here."

They are quite delicious.

I watched as the people from the Dangga divided up the warm walnut cookies and turned towards the room prepared at the back of the shop.

"I wonder what kind of trouble Wang is causing."

I, Wang from Chilgokyeon. No, I reminisced about the former Muyeongshin in silent complaint.

He must have given me the black letter out of kindness. Otherwise, he would not have dared to reveal the risk of being caught in the black letter mission.

He might not have told the truth even if I'd asked. In the old days, he would even split the sky, and when he shouted, "Wingardium Leviosa," his subordinates would even move the mountains.

From Lupin, a detective and a creator of the walking murder incident generator, to the story of a thief. I really like stories about rogues; it's a shame.

"Is Ha-yeon a real heroine?"

I recalled the present Muyeongshin Two, following the former one.

A woman with two pink braids. As a character in a martial arts romance, she is extraordinary beautiful.

It's hard to tell if there's any animosity from me, but when she shows her cheeks, her eyes slightly curve, and she might look very charming like a court lady.

Cheong-ki is like an idol who sings and dances, considering the modern context.

If she is to perform as a dancer, one would need to reserve a very expensive box seat with a huge sum of money, only to hear a brief verse and see a dance performance.

"Im Ha-yeon's fate has been sealed."

Whether she is the true heroine or not, I am not sure. There doesn't seem to be a specific action or treatment like the reversal of celestial qi or poison resistance to think about.

Should I fix her coldness towards me?

The power to change the fate of a heroine is possible with the reversal of celestial qi, but does that necessarily involve an incurable illness in the form of celestial qi or poison resistance?

Then what about the original main heroines?

If it's not just an illness but the fate itself, it could make sense. I'm unsure and didn't dwell on it for long, letting go of the thought.

Since the bond with Im Ha-yeon has been established, there's no need to pay much attention to her further. The significant thing is to restore the tarnished destiny of my women.

I must hurry to reopen Dansagak.

I lay down on the bed with my weary body and closed my eyes.

"Manager Kang!"

I heard a newcomer's voice that seemed to awaken a senior sergeant who had no intention of getting up. Have I slept for long? The leisurely morning sounds of birds chirping seem to indicate I've had a good, long sleep.

"What is it?"

"Mr. Hwang Seosaeng is looking for Manager Kang."

They came so quickly.

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"I came too early in the morning, didn't I?"

I found Hwang Seosaeng's younger brother waiting in front of Baekgajang, not Seocheongyo's gate. Is he Hwang Seosaeng's younger brother too?

"Seems like you're not fully awake yet. Did you come because of the favor I asked of you yesterday?"

If they came to refuse, I wouldn't do it. I asked, ready for a prompt response.

Fortunately, my optimistic expectation might have been pleasantly wrong.

Seosaeng's younger brother nodded happily and spoke with a smile.

"This time, we've decided to appoint Manager Kang as the presenter for the event."

"That's good news!"

I cheered.

Not only a judge, but presenting awards to the winners. It was a condition I put forward to accept the position of a judge.

"After all, the crucial thing is the prestige."

Whether it's in the entertainment industry or for writers, my actions ultimately serve to raise my prestige.

Just as the recipients of awards at celebrity award ceremonies are talked about, the people who present the awards are also talked about.

If the appearance of Kang Yoon-ho at Dansagak at the New Writer Contest as a judge isn't the last, but also stepping up as the presenter, it will make a deeper impression on people.

Moreover, there is another task that I requested for the purpose of building my prestige.

"Of course, when we announce the event through the Uichang Literary Society, we plan to mention that Manager Kang Yoon-ho will be serving as the judge and presenter."

Thanks to the high praises written in the newspapers, the surge of customers was evident.

Once it's featured in the newspaper, my prestige will spread across Uichang in no time.

"Thank you."

"Although being a presenter is an honor, why do you want the news to be spread through the papers?"

"Because there is a need to raise my Fame."

"What do you mean?"

"The owner of Dansagak, Hwalin, has settled down in the neighborhood. Now that I'll be running Dansagak alone, there might be unanticipated problems, if the news of me occupying an honorable position in Uichang spreads, it will prevent potential hassles."

It's also necessary to clean up the rumors that I am an unprincipled merchant.

"I hadn't realized the inconveniences you faced since coming from another region. I had a narrow view."

"That's not true."

"The chairman would like to see your face. Are you free now?"

"Of course. Let's go together."

I set off on the street with Hwang Seosaeng's younger brother.

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I had seen the face of the chairman of the Uichang Literary Society before.

The day I almost got persuaded by the people of the tea house. The chairman of the Uichang Literary Society appeared in front of the people of the tea house and warned me that I wouldn't stay still if I turned back, causing me to almost choke. At that time, I couldn't properly express my gratitude, and now that I'm visiting, I should express my gratitude.

"I can't do this!"

"Why not?"

As I approached the chairman's front door, I heard someone shouting with a voice I remembered hearing somewhere.

"The application period was until yesterday!"

"That can't be true! That can't be right!"

The lady shouted angrily in a voice that was familiar and turned around whether people were looking or not.

With pink pigtails. It was a familiar voice with a familiar back view.

"What's going on here?"

"Oh! Manager Kang Yoon-ho?"

Im Ha-yeon. What are you doing here?

[T/L: Forgive me for any mistakes I am your substitute translater until lord mocha is free. First time editing a Korean novel forgive me for any mistakes and please bear with me I am learning]

*Translated by Soothsayer.io