"A letter to Namchang? For what reason?"
"I want to send a separately written novel to the Hundred Books Old Bookstore in Namchang."
"Hmm? What are you planning?"
"Do you know that Father gave me pocket money—more than someone my age could handle?"
"Of course. A month ago, you accomplished something huge."
Jeong In-hwa was aware that a large sum of money had come into his possession, thanks to Clan Head Baek Mu-ryang, though he hadn't spent it properly yet out of caution toward the Blue Serpent Hall's watchful eyes.
"To get to the point, I want to do a little business with the Hundred Books Old Bookstore."
"You plan to sell the novel you wrote?"
"Yes."
"Hmm..."
Though she had spent most of her time in her quarters since childhood, Jeong In-hwa was no fool.
Reading is the nourishment of the mind, as they say. Having devoured countless books during her long hours indoors, she was well-versed in worldly affairs.
To her, making money by selling novels was no easy task.
Highborn folk disdained novels, yet books bound in expensive paper cost a fortune.
"I don't think it's a good idea, my child. Your Tale of Unending Love was quite entertaining, but people will prefer listening to storytellers over buying books."
"I think the same."
Those short on coin would rather toss a few coppers to a storyteller than buy pricey books.
Highborn folk, valuing face, filled their shelves with classics from Confucius and Mencius, not frivolous tales.
Selling romance novels as books wasn't wise.
But.
Baek Yang-hwi had confidence.
'One-Stroke Writer. Just follow that man's method.'
About fifteen years from now, a writer using the pen name One-Stroke Writer would appear in the martial world.
He wrote entire stories in a single go once he took up the brush—the author of more than half the novels Baek Yang-hwi knew.
'Even writing mere romances, One-Stroke Writer was recognized as a literary giant.'
Everyone acknowledged it. His works deserved to be passed down for generations, devoured by all.
The reason was simple.
They brimmed with profound spirit, yet were so gripping you couldn't put them down.
His popularity was such that even noble houses made it trendy to acquire his books for their shelves.
'Though he grew arrogant, overstepped bounds, and met his ruin.'
He used his fame to toy with women everywhere.
Eventually, he seduced the wife of one of the Five Great Clans and was hacked to pieces.
"I believe failures in youth nourish growth. Please let me try once."
Jeong In-hwa fell silent for a moment.
This child had shown wit and spirit from their first meeting.
That day, the Baek Clan had nearly faced disaster, but his scheme saved them.
'And that's not all—he showed tremendous martial talent.'
A third-rate clan is still a martial clan. Yet in just a month, Baek Yang-hwi had earned the recognition of every retainer.
'The Clan Head called him a heavenly martial genius.'
A child blessed with heaven-sent martial prowess.
And if he truly conceived and wrote that novel himself, his literary talent rivaled his martial gifts.
"Hwi-ya."
"Yes, Mother."
"Sometimes I doubt you're really eight. It feels like a Daoist immortal has reversed aging to wear a child's skin."
It was only natural she'd think so. Baek Yang-hwi knew his actions were quite hasty.
But.
'To make the clan the World's Supreme before my lifespan ends, time is short.'
That was why he acted in ways that shocked, awed, and even aroused suspicion among those around him.
"No such thing. I've just seen and heard more than most since birth."
"Yes, that must be it. Very well. I'll send someone to Namchang, so prepare the letter."
"Thank you, Mother."
Having gained permission, Baek Yang-hwi bowed and left Jeong In-hwa's quarters.
He then wrote the letter and novel, handing them to a retainer departing for Namchang.
'She might ignore it, but knowing Chu Yong-wol as I do, she won't.'
Baek Yang-hwi was certain. Upon seeing the letter and book, Chu Yong-wol would head straight for Baek Manor.
'If things go as planned, the Baek Clan gains a funding source free of rivals.'
The most common way martial clans earned money was guarding taverns and brothels.
But leaving aside the retainers' low skills, the Baek Clan couldn't pursue that from the start.
'Most taverns and brothels in Ak-an County are under black path faction protection.'
Protection in name only—they were practically owned by those factions.
The moment Baek Clan meddled, they'd bare fangs, seeing it as territorial invasion.
'Well, there are ways, and for the retainers' experience, we'll enter that business someday.'
For now, it was impossible, so he needed a new venture for revenue.
No great warrior emerges without ample funds.
In that sense.
'I need to pass on the martial arts I created soon.'
The Heavenly Harmony Origin Art and Heaven-Covering 108 Swords, devised during his past life's decades as a wandering swordsman.
He could skip the swordsmanship, but the Heavenly Harmony Origin Art was urgent.
Inner arts are best cultivated young with the finest methods.
'Need a good excuse. What would work?'
Claiming he created them himself was impossible.
No genius, at eight, could invent supreme arts.
So, he needed a plausible way to spread them without suspicion.
'Best to use someone else.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The Baek Manor's retainers numbered twelve, excluding the clan head's family.
Four hailed from vassal families serving the Baeks for generations; the other eight were orphans saved or raised by the clan, regardless of age.
"Young Master, you're training hard again today!"
"Young Master, if anyone disrespects you, tell me. I'll give 'em the rod."
"Little Young Master, never forget you're the wood to inherit the clan."
To them, Baek Heon-so was the clan head's sole son and the eldest who saved their lives, so he grew bathed in their affection and expectations.
This shaped young Baek Heon-so into one who craved praise by meeting others' hopes.
It was inevitable.
Had affection, expectations, and praise been abundant, perhaps not—but he was forced to realize their scarcity due to his sister Baek Yeon-yeon.
She was the Baek Clan's beloved darling.
Even Baek Heon-so, rather than jealousy, adored his attention-stealing little sister.
Thus.
All that remained for Baek Heon-so was diligent effort, study, achievement, and the praise it brought.
"You're already wielding the Heaven-Covering Sword so well. Excellent, my son."
"Like-kind geniuses feel a day apart like three seasons, yet Little Young Master's diligence guarantees greatness."
"So-ya, you're truly admirable."
From age five, when he first gripped a sword, Baek Heon-so never skipped a day of training.
Unlike Baek Yeon-yeon, who whined to rest when unwell, he never faltered.
In tough times, he reminded himself.
I'm the Baek Clan's eldest son. Next clan head. Leader of all.
So perhaps.
When an unknown boy became his brother, rejection came before joy.
'Why take in an outsider as a son when I'm here!'
To a boy valuing himself by others' regard, Baek Yang-hwi was a threat by existing.
Irksome. Annoying. Hateful.
His young heart revealed those feelings, earning a beating.
-You impudent little brat.
His first shocking curse. And "sparring" disguised as tough love.
That day's events remained etched in Baek Heon-so's mind.
The sheer shock and disruption of it.
And.
That shock and disruption didn't end the first day.
-So. The Heaven-Covering Sword's first stance draws power freely from the lower body.
On his first sword day, brother surpassed him.
-When using Harmony of Principles and Six Unions Art, push your body to the limit despite the strain. That's true conditioning.
Not just swordplay—even the art he mastered in days, offering pointers.
'Showing off his genius. Stealing my praise.'
He thought so at first.
But soon realized otherwise.
-That's right. Just like that. Well done, So. Truly splendid. A son Father can be proud of.
Praise without reserve from Father—the man he revered most—calling him Father's worthy son.
-Little brother, you're the Baek Clan's thickest pillar. Shoulders heavy, but I'll help plenty. Let's do this. Got it?
Comfort sharing the unspoken burden of expectations.
-Everyone, take these. Special rewards for your service to the clan.
Father suddenly gave coin to all retainers—thanks to brother.
And just a fraction of what he brought.
Impossible for Baek Heon-so.
Jealousy.
The emotion toward equals who pull ahead.
But transcendence beyond superiority quells even jealousy.
Filling that void.
Respect.
'Brother... Yang-hwi Brother...'
This was a massive change from Baek Yang-hwi's past life.
There, he was an orphan beggar boy.
Thirsting for affection, intoxicated by family recognition.
He cherished Baek Heon-so as family and brother but never delved into his inner world.
This life was different.
Spending days with siblings, fulfilling brotherly duty.
'Being a brother... feels like this.'
Those without brothers can't grasp what they mean.
Thus Baek Heon-so's initial envy and rejection.
But.
-Why sneak silver? To buy tasty treats for my siblings, obviously!
Watching Baek Yang-hwi, Baek Heon-so learned a brother's meaning and strength.
Close unlike generational parents.
Utterly reliable, leanable.
In his heart, Baek Yang-hwi became that.
Such a Baek Yang-hwi.
The brother who, from day one at Baek Manor, achieved the impossible against black path scum and daily amazed.
Had caused another uproar.
"One-Stroke Writer! I rushed here the moment we received your letter at Hundred Books Old Bookstore!"
A woman in her early twenties, draped in silk finery.
Seeing brother grinning at her, Baek Heon-so thought.
'Brother's done something bizarre... brilliantly witty again.'
"One-Stroke Writer! Show yourself to this girl, author of Eastern Books, Western Soil!"