Chapter 27: Another Masterpiece

If building a house was Gou Ye’s goal, then making money was his driving force. Only with wealth could he achieve more of what he wished; money had always been a hard reality from ancient times to the present. Even a hero could be brought low for want of a single coin—this was not mere rhetoric. To truly establish oneself in this ancient world, one needed far more resources as support. But where was the money to come from?

Gou Ye sat at his desk, gazing at the manuscript beside him, and murmured, “The Legend of the Eagle-Shooting Hero is about to be finished; it’s time to consider what book I shall write next.”

The ice cream business remained as prosperous as ever, with each serving now fetching sixty copper coins and monthly revenues approaching over two thousand taels. Yet, compared to that, writing and publishing books brought in money even faster. The construction of his house had already begun, and if he couldn’t quickly earn more, his current savings would soon run dry.

He thought back to when he first arrived in this world—at first, he had worried about making a living, then about a few taels of silver, and now, in just over a month, he found himself troubled over thousands of taels. Gou Ye could scarcely believe how much he had changed in such a short span—pleased, yet tinged with anxiety. As the saying went, a tall tree invites the wind. Wasn’t the county magistrate Qin and Madam Zhu living examples of this? The frozen treats had already brought him some minor troubles, and who knew what might happen if he invented yet another new thing? It was better to be content with the present, write his books honestly, conduct his business quietly, keep a low profile, and not court unnecessary trouble.

In less than half a month, The Legend of the Eagle-Shooting Hero finally reached its conclusion. The loyal devotees who had gathered daily at the bookshop weren’t just fans of Gou Ye’s stories; they revered him almost as a spiritual leader. Whenever Gou Ye arrived, they would rise and salute him, and he never refused any of their requests.

On this day, Gou Ye came to the bookshop with Yun Niang and found the crowd in various states—some dejected, others excited, still others sighing in admiration. Some clutched the book, flipping to the last page and exclaiming, “Excellent!” before gazing into the distance, only to deflate like a burst balloon.

Ever since Gou Ye began publishing, this group had taken time out every day to gather in front of the shop. Their discussions at the door had become a local sight and a daily habit. During this time, they delved into the stories together, finding joy in the process, and many had formed deep friendships with like-minded souls.

But now, with the story’s end, they all felt as if their souls had been drawn out—their next goal or anticipation suddenly vanished. The Legend of the Eagle-Shooting Hero was, after all, just a novel, yet Gou Ye hadn’t expected it to become such a spiritual anchor for so many. They dreamed of becoming great heroes like Guo Jing, masters of martial arts who upheld justice, and of meeting a confidante as clever and devoted as Huang Rong. This novel was not only a story, but a beautiful hope for the future.

Nevertheless, the tale had come to its conclusion. The crowd clasped hands in farewell, uncertain when they would next gather here to read and revel together.

Moved by the scene, Gou Ye cleared his throat to draw their attention. Only then did anyone notice his arrival, and immediately they all saluted in unison, “Master Gou!”

“Master Gou, The Legend of the Eagle-Shooting Hero is finished. After the duel at Mount Hua, we all feel unsatisfied, reluctant to let go. Reading your books has become part of our daily lives. May I ask when you will begin a new work, so that we might have the chance to meet here again?”

Standing at the threshold, Gou Ye addressed them, “For more than a month, it is thanks to your support that I have found endless motivation. So many nights I toiled through until dawn, struggling with the manuscript, but whenever I thought of your sincerity and enthusiasm, it set my heart ablaze and swept away all my fatigue. I never imagined my humble efforts would bring you such joy. Though The Legend of the Eagle-Shooting Hero has ended so swiftly, do not be disheartened, for a new book will be available for sale starting tomorrow!”

At this, their eyes lit up, sweeping away all traces of disappointment. Someone couldn’t help but ask, “Master Gou, may I be so bold as to ask—will the new book also be set in the world of martial heroes?”

Gou Ye laughed heartily. “You may rest assured—the new book remains in the realm of martial arts, every bit as thrilling, and contains a love story that will shake the heavens and move the spirits. Moreover, this tale is intricately linked to Eagle-Shooting, and I promise that if you open the pages, you’ll return at once to that familiar world.” Cheers erupted at the door.

Seeing their enthusiasm, Gou Ye cupped his hands in salute and, together with Yun Niang, entered the bookshop. Shopkeeper Hu was already waiting in the main hall, beaming with delight. The Legend of the Eagle-Shooting Hero had brought him considerable profit, and now that the book was finished, it was time to discuss the final settlement as previously agreed.

Gou Ye sat down comfortably, crossing his legs and smiling. “Shopkeeper Hu, now that the book is finished, let’s settle our accounts. Also, I’ve brought a new manuscript today—take a look, and then we can discuss how to cooperate on the next venture.”

“Of course, of course. We’ve worked together for some time now—speak freely, Master Gou.”

“Very well, since you’re so straightforward, I’ll be direct. The previous work is complete, and as you promised, there is a completion bonus. I won’t ask for much—just three hundred and sixty taels, equivalent to a tael a day for my efforts. As for the new book, we can discuss terms after you’ve read the manuscript.”

Shopkeeper Hu took the manuscript and saw that the title page bore four bold characters—the new book’s name: The Divine Condor’s Companion. Flipping through, he realized it was every bit as good as Eagle-Shooting, if not better.

If this was published, it would surely be an even greater success. Shopkeeper Hu grinned broadly and moved to sit beside Gou Ye.

“Master Gou, as for the completion bonus you mentioned, I can assure you right now—no problem at all! As for the new manuscript, I sincerely hope to continue our partnership. State your terms; as long as the shop can bear it, I will agree to all.”