Chapter 114

“Hey… how is it? Have you calmed down a bit?”

With a gentle voice, Sima Mantian patted Poong Ran’s back, comforting her. Poong Ran wiped the tears from her eyes and slowly nodded.

“Yes… I’m sorry…”

“It’s okay. Like I said earlier, there’s no need to apologize.”

This is the absolute truth. I’m not upset at all.

After all, I’m naturally a charming person. It can’t be helped.

And personally… a novel with a protagonist modeled after me? That’s super cool!!

At least in the Catholic cultural sphere, it’s the second best-selling book after the Bible, ‘The Divine Comedy’.

Dante Alighieri, the great author, depicted a living bishop who argued with him as a greedy sinner suffering in the pits of hell. Compared to that, this is incredibly cool.

…And most importantly, the novel Poong Ran wrote was interesting.

I was a bit mischievous in questioning her, not to torment her, but because I was genuinely curious if she really wrote this novel.

“In fact, I can’t wait to read the next chapter.”

“…Huh?”

Caught off guard by the unexpectedly positive response, Poong Ran’s eyes widened, and her head, which had been bowed in gloom, turned towards Sima Mantian.

“The story development is good, and especially, the characters are charming.”

“…Huh? Eh…?!”

“Geum Ran and Dogolon. The main characters that readers see the most are already half the charm.”

Overwhelmed by the praise, Poong Ran’s head felt light and dazed. Of course.

After all, having someone acknowledge that the novel she worked hard on is interesting is an incredibly good feeling.

…But Sima Mantian wasn’t planning to stop here.

He was determined to finish this properly. Nadenade~ Attack!

Watering the seeds of talent.

“So when can I see the next chapter? How does it progress?”

It’s over.

Even if it was a self-sufficient, hobby-like novel she wrote without intending to show it to others…

A closet novelist who has never received feedback from others hears such stimulating words…

In a situation where she’s directly facing someone and hearing their review of her novel, feeling anxious, embarrassed, trembling, and nervous…

Hearing the sweet comment that it’s interesting and wanting to read the next chapter…

“Well… you see…”

Despite her hesitant words, Poong Ran’s facial muscles relaxed on their own as she felt good.

“It seems like it’ll be completed soon… but I’m a bit worried about the next chapter’s development, so if it’s okay with you…”

Fidgeting with her fingers, she shyly asked Sima Mantian with an expectant expression.

“Is it weird, or not weird… w-would you listen to it?”

As her guard lowered, the enjoyable novel talk flowed out like a song.

·

·

·

Before they knew it, Sima Mantian had moved the location to his room, enjoying tea and snacks in a comfortable atmosphere while listening to Poong Ran’s concerns.

“As I write, the sentences seem too repetitive… The story comes to mind, but I’m worried about how to express it.”

“I want to make it more interesting… Should I add the popular ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’?”

I didn’t show it outwardly, but I closed my eyes tightly at Poong Ran’s question.

‘Here it comes! Adding popular genres-!!’

First of all, let me say that I don’t dislike or deny adding popular genres.

Whether ancient or modern, creative works ultimately need readers.

Adding popular genres to attract readers’ attention is a natural method.

Even in this era, the most popular characters from ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ among the masses.

Guan Yu suddenly appears in a novel to torment the protagonist, or a Taoist summons Guan Yu and Zhang Fei’s spirits to exorcise a village monster.

In this way, they are adopted in numerous plays and novels to attract people’s popularity.

However… personally…

I think adding popular genres can become a poisoned chalice if done wrong.

If the creator has a high understanding of the genre, it’s fine!

…But if you just throw it in without much thought, it can result in worse than not adding it at all.

For example, let’s say a web novel writer sees that TS (gender-swapping) stories are popular on the site they’re serializing on.

“Huh? TS novels are popular, huh? Lots of reviews… comments are positive too… I’m jealous…”

As a result, they thoughtlessly introduce a TS heroine.

“Hehe~ scribble scribble~ The readers will like it, right~!!”

Of course, the readers didn’t like it. Chaos ensued.

“Uoooh-! I won’t forgive you for hurting the readers’ hearts-!!”

“Huh?! Readers! I was wrong! Please forgive me!!”

TS heroines, where a character originally male falls for the protagonist, is a naturally repulsive material. They thought too lightly of it.

Anyway, to write any genre, you need at least a minimal understanding of it.

If you just write it because it’s popular, side effects will inevitably occur.

But anyway, I’m not the one writing the novel.

I could just nod and say to do your best… but I quietly observed Poong Ran’s expression.

Her long eyelashes were trembling slightly.

“Young Master?”

With an innocent face like a cute baby bird, Poong Ran looked up at me with sparkling green eyes.

What should I say…

It seems I’ve grown fond of her. I want to help her.

“Scold…”

Then hesitating is a waste of time.

“Go-!!”

I jumped up from my seat and shouted loudly.

“?????”

In the sudden situation, Poong Ran’s eyes widened, filled with question marks.

But I don’t care! Push forward!

“I don’t know much about the martial arts world or novel writing techniques. But I can assert one thing.”

I grabbed Poong Ran’s soft cheeks with both hands. Our eyes met directly.

“Those who don’t believe in themselves are weak.”

“……!!”

It might be a cruel thing to say to novelists, but ultimately, the fun of a novel isn’t determined by the author. It’s determined by the readers.

Even if the author thinks it’s fun, if the readers find it boring, it’s boring.

Even if the author is anxious about whether it’s fun, if the readers find it fun, it’s fun.

So what I’m saying is.

“As a reader, I acknowledge it. The novel you wrote was really interesting. Have confidence.”

With a soft yet firm voice, Poong Ran’s heart raced.

She was drawn into Sima Mantian’s hazel eyes, just like when he called her name and placed a cherry blossom branch for her.

“…But if you’re still anxious.”

Though I know nothing about the martial arts world! I’ve devoured countless novels and comics-!!

“I, Sima Mantian, who can deceive even the heavens, will be your PD.”

“Man… PD? Wh-what does that mean…?”

“It means I’ll stick by your side and help you write the novel.”

A confusing situation, confusing words, a confused mind.

“Of course, only if you want to.”

…But one thing is certain.

Looking at Sima Mantian, who removed his hands from her cheeks and politely offered a handshake like a prince from a novel, Poong Ran hesitated not at all.

“I, I like it-!!”

With sparkling eyes, she clasped his hand with both of hers.

She wanted to write a more interesting novel. She wanted to stay with Sima Mantian longer.

Feeling that she had taken one step closer to the person she liked from afar.

If she hadn’t been careful, the small wings she had made and hidden behind her back would have spread out and fluttered cutely.

“Hey… then how should the next story progress?”

“A proper sense of crisis adds to the fun of a novel.”

In response to Poong Ran’s question, I told her the development I had thought of from the beginning.

“Here, let’s introduce a new villain, like an antagonist appearing.”

***

At the Asura Palace, the headquarters of the Blood Church where Blood Demon resides.

There, Blood Demon and a beautiful black-haired woman in a red dress, Erzeveta, along with her subordinate, a small girl named Ner, were enjoying a tea party while sipping black tea.

“Munch munch~ The Western cake was a bit strange at first, but it’s not bad after eating it.”

Blood Demon, with cream on his face, held a piece of cake in each of his six arms, biting into them with sharp teeth. He perked up at the approaching presence.

“…Finally, he’s here.”

Ner, who didn’t sense the presence, tilted her head and looked at her master, Erzeveta.

“Erzeveta-sama, who’s coming?”

“Fufu~ You’ll find out soon. He’s quite the showy one.”

As soon as those words ended.

Calligraphy Sword Technique

Like a skilled calligrapher writing, red ink-like slashes flew and carved letters into the stone wall.

Kwa kwa ga ga ga-!!

Dragon Body, Snake Heart Jang Do

“Eek!!”

“Ha! As always, his self-introduction is unnecessarily flashy.”

Unlike the startled Ner, Blood Demon sneered at the person who launched the sword energy.

“Self-introduction is important. Like the introduction of a novel.”

The person in question nonchalantly replied and revealed himself, politely greeting Ner, whom he was meeting for the first time.

“I am Jang Do, known as Dragon Body, Snake Heart in the martial arts world.”

He had pale skin and a neat appearance, likely due to little outdoor activity.

“My main job is a novelist. I also serve as a Blood Church executive on the side.”

***

It’s a short comic! The issue has been resolved, so I can finally upload it!!

Created by the talented 2poet artist!!

[Sima Mantian and Master Wang Miaoyang’s Dragon and Phoenix Association afterparty]!!

I asked Novelpia’s customer service, and they kindly provided a solution! Thank you!!

They said if the image is too long vertically, it might not upload well.

But… other sites upload fine without cutting… Novelpia site…

It’s as delicate as my serialization schedule… I need to stay strong…