The Omaeda Family's connections as a business giant?
Yoruichi Shihōin's sly smile flashed through Siwei Yan's mind, but he soon shook his head.
Calling in a Nobles favor for something like this could end up costing him more trouble than money.
Especially with that black cat. If he actually went to ask her, she might drive him out of his mind afterward.
"Indeed, there aren't."
Yamagane Tetsu continued calmly, "The factory is willing to reserve machines for us because Soul Society Communication is an official publication of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. It represents the face of all Seireitei."
"But if you want them to print something for you personally..." He paused, laying out the harsh reality.
"You'll have to convince them your book is guaranteed to bring in a substantial profit."
"Granted, your Genius Boy has a decent reputation and built up some popularity. But whether it'll be a 'bestseller' is still an open question."
"For a business giant like the Omaeda Family, a 'small profit' means nothing. It only wastes their precious time and machine capacity."
"Instead of printing your novel, they'd rather keep printing those gaudy picture books and family genealogies for the Nobles. The profits are more reliable."
Siwei's expression turned serious. He understood that Yamagane Tetsu was right. That was simply the reality of business.
"It's not that I've been holding you back all this time," Yamagane Tetsu said, lowering his hand. His tone softened by the slightest, almost imperceptible degree.
"You need to come up with something that makes the printing house's eyes light up—something they feel they simply have to print."
"Then there's the question of distribution. But you don't need to worry too much about that. You're quite popular in Runlin An, and the owners of the taverns and shops should be willing to do you a favor and sell it for you."
Siwei took a deep breath, then slowly let it out before replying quietly:
"Understood. Give me a moment."
With that, he rose and returned to his room, taking the manuscript from his robes.
He didn't hand over the original. Instead, he spread out fresh sheets of paper and began copying it out at speed.
The original manuscript carried the function of gathering "resonant spiritual power." More than that, it was the first "spiritual lure," so he couldn't casually hand it over to anyone.
As he copied it, he made subtle adjustments and polished certain phrases, giving the writing a stronger rhythm and impact.
An hour later, Siwei returned to Yamagane Tetsu with two freshly copied manuscripts, the ink still wet.
"This is my new book, The Killer of Meteor City." He placed one manuscript on the table.
"And this," he said, setting down the thicker manuscript, determination in his eyes, "is The Boy, revised and reimagined as a whole."
"Oh?" Yamagane Tetsu's attention went straight to The Boy.
After all, he was also a devoted reader of Lan Chuan's stories in private. He picked up the manuscript and opened to the first page, full of scrutiny and anticipation.
But the moment his eyes fell on the new opening poem, his pupils suddenly widened in that iron face that never changed!
Mirror Realm
I. False Mirror
The curve of the glass
Bends the sky into a cage
I bow my head to every god
Only to hide the throne
In the shadow of every act of humility
—Lan Chuan.
Yamagane Tetsu's hand trembled slightly as he held the manuscript.
His lips moved a few times, as if he wanted to say something in praise, but in the end, he only drew a deep breath. He forced himself to maintain his composure behind that iron mask, yet his slightly hurried breathing betrayed his extraordinary excitement.
This... this was ambition concealed within humility, rebellion hidden within obedience! It was on an entirely different level from the blunt "lonely genius" of before!
Suppressing his excitement, he impatiently picked up The Killer of Meteor City beside it.
Then he saw the opening poem, titled Blood Blossom.
I. Blood Blossom
At the far end of a river paved with bones
I heard
The first flower bud unfurl
A faint crack, the sound of a throat bone breaking
—Shu Hua.
"!!!"
Yamagane Tetsu's hand shook violently as he held the manuscript!
He jerked his head up and looked at Siwei. His voice was hoarse with restrained emotion, though the muscles in his face remained rigid beneath his iron mask.
"Excellent! What a 'river of bones'! What a 'Blood Blossom'! Beauty born of destruction, art witnessed through slaughter—the ultimate contrast... Simply... simply!!!"
He slapped both manuscripts down on the table. His chest heaved several times before he finally managed to compose himself. Then, in a tone more solemn than ever, he said:
"Listen, Siwei! We have to find a way to meet with the printing house and the Omaeda Family in person!"
"I believe these two works are absolutely worthy of publication! They should come out as two separate volumes!"
He pointed to the manuscripts. "The Boy is profound, full of philosophy and metaphor. It could be made into a deluxe volume of at least two hundred thousand words, aimed at high-ranking Shinigami and Nobles. Of course, if the price is right, I'm sure ordinary squad members would buy it too."
"The Killer of Meteor City has a fierce style and real impact. We could start with a smaller trial edition of around fifty thousand words, priced affordably. It's sure to stir up a storm among ordinary squad members and in Runlin An!"
Watching Yamagane Tetsu's attitude turn around completely, Siwei was instead a little confused.
"Old Tetsu, didn't you keep saying publication would be difficult? How come now...?"
Yamagane Tetsu took a deep breath and looked at Siwei. Even his iron mask seemed to soften a little.
"The difficulties I mentioned before applied to 'ordinary' novels."
He pointed to the two opening poems. "But what you've brought me this time is 'poetry'—work with a 'soul'!"
"Remember this: in Soul Society, those willing to take their time savoring words instead of just looking at picture-book illustrations all have a bit of romantic spirit buried deep down."
"Your earlier writing had an exciting plot, but it was too straightforward. People read it, enjoyed it, and then forgot it."
"But these new works contain a kind of 'romance.'"
"Whether it's Lan Chuan's romance of restraint, or the Killer's blood-red romance."
"People who truly understand will be willing to pay to own them!"
"And since 'poetry' is easier to spread, the chances of them becoming bestsellers are even higher."
He stood and patted Siwei on the shoulder.
"Get some good rest today and save your strength."
"Tomorrow morning, I'll go to the printing house with you! It's time to show the Omaeda Family what a real bestseller looks like!"
Seeing the light in Yamagane Tetsu's eyes, almost bursting through his iron mask,
Siwei Yan suddenly felt that there might... really be hope for getting his books published.
"Then we'll go first thing tomorrow morning!"
"Old Tetsu, remember to come wake me up!"
As he spoke, Siwei slammed the door shut.
Yamagane Tetsu said nothing. He looked back at the "poems" in the two books and studied them closely.
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