---

“I heard a novelist named Feng Menglong from Master Mangnyang,” said Mangnyang.

“He’s quite good at poetry and well-versed in Confucian classics. He has a huge interest in popular novels and is pretty famous, so it’s safe to say that Ghiku’s recommendation is solid.”

“Then let’s head to Oukyo to find Feng Menglong.”

“But hold on for a sec.”

As I tried to rush off using my Thunder God technique, Mangnyang stopped me and gave me a piercing look.

“Baek Woong, how do you think someone like you can get good at writing or storytelling?”

“Huh?”

I tilted my head at his unexpected question.

“Well, if you learn from an expert, you should be able to manage.”

“If I were your master, I wouldn’t even bother teaching someone like you to write. It wouldn’t help; you’d just stay the same.”

…

Mangnyang, teasing my uninterested response, continued, “Humans tend to pay more attention to stories they can relate to. For example, if I speak of martial arts or magical techniques, you’d listen intently, but if I start yapping about women’s palace fights or the chaotic politics of the Great Ming Empire, would that be entertaining to you?”

I shook my head vigorously.

“It wouldn’t be interesting.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s stuff I can’t relate to…”

“Exactly! In the past 50 years, novels and tales have become new formats that are wildly popular because they hit the nail on the head with relatable stories. In fact, the current environment is ripe for novels to thrive.”

“What do you mean?”

“The most popular novel in the world right now is ‘Water Margin.’ You’ve read it, right?”

I nodded enthusiastically.

“It’s super interesting!”

The tales of Song Gang and others brought a vivid sense of enjoyment and spirit. ‘Water Margin’ was the first novel I ever laid my hands on. Even though martial arts novels had their own charm, sometimes the world of martial arts didn’t connect, making ‘Water Margin’ way more popular.

“‘Water Margin’ was originally forbidden by the emperor during the previous dynasty. However, the current emperor lifted the ban on novels and comedic tales. Plus, due to the economy developing more in cities than in rural areas, the demand for novels has skyrocketed.”

“Hmm? The economy?”

“Yes! The wealthier you are, the more you live well in cities, while rural folks suffer. That’s common knowledge, right? The Great Ming Empire’s wealth has become concentrated in cities as the currency system stabilizes and the socioeconomic structures develop. There are more wealthier people, and those who don’t farm have it easier than ever. Also, people like Li Shizhen spread medicine widely, and Xu Guangqi elevated knowledge in many fields including astronomy, mathematics, and physics. Rumor has it the painting skills of Wen Zhengming and Shen Zhou have reached divine levels.”

…

“If it weren’t for the abuses by the emperor and the Golden Eagle Guard, we’d be in the most culturally and economically prosperous era in the Great Ming Empire’s history, with the common people living happily. This is all thanks to the previous emperor’s stabilization of the chaotic political affairs and his fair governance, allowing cultural activities like ‘novels’ to thrive.”

“Hmm, I see.”

“Food conditions are also decent. There’s enough grain stored for relief efforts, and they’re pretty good at responding to natural disasters like floods. Even if the palace is rotten, the lower officials are quite capable. In the past 50 years, there’s hardly been any noticeable population decline due to famine or disasters.”

Was I really living in a good era? I pondered and asked Mangnyang, “But… I was originally dirt poor and struggled to live… and there are plenty of beggars and impoverished folks in Mount Tai and Henan.”

“Poverty is something even the rulers can’t save you from. No leader can create a world without economic disparity. Plus, you’ve always belonged to the lower class, so their plight would stand out to you more. They pass down their poverty through generations.”

Mangnyang continued, “Don’t you notice? In bustling Luoyang and major cities, people are living well. Many see the suffering of the commoners as someone else’s problems and enjoy their lives comfortably. It’s merely a difference in perspective based on what class you belong to.”

I got what Mangnyang was saying. No, it felt like I was hearing something I already knew before. But it made me feel sour instead of happy.

“…It’s unfair.”

“Heh. Even if you were to defeat the Old Ruler, it won’t make everyone equal and happy. There will always be someone suffering somewhere in this world.”

I shook my head at Mangnyang’s words.

“I’m not asking for that. I just want to prevent our future from being obliterated, and someone else can handle the rest.”

“That’s the answer. We should just focus on our own duties.”

Mangnyang looked oddly satisfied with himself. Then he got down to business.

“Anyway, considering this environment where novels can easily develop, it shouldn’t be hard for you to declare yourself a novelist. However, writing a piece that satisfies the Celestial Sage with both popularity and finesse is no easy task.”

“How can I improve my writing skills?”

“Listen closely. There are three key elements for writing well: read a lot, write a lot, and think a lot. Recognizing these first will help you build your foundation.”

I furrowed my brow.

“So, read a lot, write a lot, and think a lot?”

“Exactly.”

“Will doing this really make me a good writer?”

“Not necessarily. Writing is somewhat a talent, and there’s a vast gap between those with talent and those without. No matter how hard you try, only a handful can become great authors.”

…

When Mangnyang swiftly disagreed, I was flabbergasted.

“Then why even mention the three key elements?”

“Even without talent, people can work hard and elevate their writing skills to a certain level. Hence why it’s crucial to follow the three key elements.”

“I haven’t tried writing yet, so I don’t know if I have talent or not.”

As I said that with a pout, Mangnyang just smiled.

“You’ll find out if you try. So from today, let’s practice writing together.”

“Huh? What about meeting Feng Menglong or other novelists…”

“If you go see them without the basics, all you’ll get is criticized. They are novelists who also master Confucian classics and storytelling. To learn under them, you need to have at least some foundation.”

“Alright.”

I practiced writing with Mangnyang while also growing spiritual pills using the region around Mount Huang. Every day, we tackled military tales or folklore while utilizing the Soul Exchange Technique’s benefits to read diligently and wrote daily.

However, Mangnyang pointed out my issues when he saw my writing.

“Your vocabulary is still quite limited given your lack of reading experience and your writing doesn’t connect logically…”

“It’s hard…”

“Fortunately, printing technology has developed recently, making books easier to print, so it shouldn’t be that rough.”

I spent about a month practicing writing under Mangnyang’s guidance. By then, I felt like I had a better grasp of how to write. That’s when a message came from Zhuge Sa.

[Come over for a bit. We’re almost done.]

[Almost done?]

[I’ve wiped out Zhuge Bu’s personality.]

[……!!]

[It’s time to put it to use.]

I froze for a moment. Finally, the time had come to use Zhuge Bu as a mere puppet and wipe his memories clean. I began to ponder how to utilize Zhuge Bu to match the value of the Nameless Ritual Book.

Pat!

I found Zhuge Sa. There, I saw someone who looked like Zhuge Bu crouched on the floor. Zhuge Sa said, “A part of his consciousness remains, but it’s just a matter of time. Once the resistance is gone, he’ll completely lose his memory. That’s when we can use the Soul Exchange Technique to turn him into a perfect puppet.”

As time passed, Zhuge Bu fell forward. Zhuge Sa cast the Soul Exchange Technique on Zhuge Bu’s head and said to me, “Now he will recognize you as his master.”

When Zhuge Bu’s eyes glazed over, I spoke to him.

“I am your master.”

“…Master?”

“Obey my commands absolutely.”

“Understood…”

Zhuge Bu replied woodenly. After the brainwashing was complete, Zhuge Sa said, “Let’s also inject him with martial arts and magical techniques. If he can kill Zhuge Yulong during a crisis, that would be ideal.”

…

I completely understood Zhuge Sa’s scheme. However, brainwashing his own nephew to slay his brother was no small matter, no matter how big the grudge. It was hard not to feel the madness in Zhuge Sa’s words.

Training the brain-dead Zhuge Bu in Thunder God Lineage’s martial arts was assigned to Ghiku, while teaching him magical techniques would be done by Cheon Woo-jin. As things with Zhuge Bu were almost wrapped up, I approached Cheon Woo-jin.

“Cheon Woo-jin, by the way, how’s it going with that ‘Record of the World’?”

“Hmm… not well.”

“Huh?”

“I know it exists, but I just don’t know how to access it. It’s like you don’t know how to meet a Martial God.”

“You could just ask Master Mangnyang.”

“Damn it, think before you talk. It’s not something he’d just casually share.”

Cheon Woo-jin said with frustration, “Unless the situation demands a new guardian, even our master won’t reveal such a huge secret to me.”

“What? So telling me doesn’t mean anything?”

“Not exactly. Just knowing is already sufficient. I acknowledge that I’ve received help from you.”

He suddenly turned his head away.

“Speaking of which, I have somewhere to go. Remember that.”

“Where are you going?”

“Something to investigate.”

With that remark, Cheon Woo-jin vanished using the teleportation technique. I wasn’t too worried since he was a competent guy.

‘Well, that guy will come back when the time is right.’

Pat!

I returned to Mangnyang and resumed my writing studies. After over a month of training, Mangnyang finally broached the subject.

“You’ve built a foundation now. Let’s go meet Feng Menglong.”

We headed to Oukyo to find the novelist Feng Menglong. He was an old man with a head of white hair and an impressive, scholarly glint in his eyes. As Mangnyang visited Feng Menglong, he bowed and said, “It’s been a while.”

“Oh! Aren’t you Zhuge Hyun?! It’s been ages…!!”

“About five years, I’d say.”

“Come in, come in.”

Feng Menglong welcomed Mangnyang warmly.

“Your father was the greatest strategist and planner in the world, and your brothers possessed enormous talents, known as the Twin Dragons of the Zhuge Clan. You were once an idol among all scholars in Luoyang.”

“That’s all in the past. Now I live under the name of Master Mangnyang.”

“Oh my… I see something must have happened.”

“I’m here to help this Baek Woong, and he aims to be my lord.”

“Huh?”

Feng Menglong’s expression shifted as Mangnyang continued, “I hope you’ll teach him how to write novels.”

“Well… I’m not particularly good at teaching.”

“He needs to create a work that spreads widely across Luoyang and even beyond.”

This left Feng Menglong exasperated.

“Hmm… I’ll try, but I didn’t think I’d take something like this so seriously, given that novels are considered lowly entertainment and the main focus is on studying Confucian classics. You must know this, right?”

“Please.”

“Alright then. I’ll give it my best shot.”

I started learning how to write novels under Feng Menglong. When I mentioned the piece I would be working on, he found it interesting.

“Are you saying it’s about the Monkey Immortal traveling to the western Tianzhu with the Tripitaka from the Tang dynasty?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Sounds fun… Do you have a more detailed storyline?”

“Just a broad conception so far.”

“Hmm. Give it a rough written draft.”

I jotted down the story as it came to me. After a while, Feng Menglong began reading the plot, composed of around five thousand characters.

“Your writing skills seem quite clumsy… I gather you’re not a scholar by nature?”

“No.”

“… You need to become famous overnight, right?”

“Yes.”

Feng Menglong pondered for a moment and turned to me.

“Oh dear, this is troublesome. Let’s all head to Luoyang.”

“What’s the plan?”

“Do you have any money?”

“I have plenty…”

“With that skill of yours, you’d be dead and buried before writing anything worth reading, let alone famous…”

Feng Menglong said with a sour tone, “Scout for influential people in Luoyang and have them ghostwrite the novel for you. Then, we can spread the word somehow.”

 

---