Book 12 Chapter 22

A Conversation with Biryu Yeon and His Associates

Jang Hong: Hello, readers! I am Jang Hong, the protagonist of this novel. To summarize the story for those who may have forgotten, this is a spectacular fantasy romance martial arts novel that deals with the adventures, friendship, and beautiful love of the cool and splendid middle-aged Jang Hong.

Biryu Yeon: Hmph, what else is middle-aged love but adultery? Besides, the protagonist of this book was always meant to be me. I will not tolerate a supporting role's revolution, as your roles are steadily shrinking these days.

Jang Hong: A-adultery!!! Don't be ridiculous! It's merely romance. Don't you know the romance of a man?

Biryu Yeon: Oh, romance? Then would it be okay for you to say that to your sister-in-law?

Jang Hong: W-what are you saying! I'm still a young bachelor…

Biryu Yeon: Oho! Now it's marriage fraud! Your sister-in-law must be delighted?

Jang Hong: Listen here, Ryeon! We shouldn't be like this between us. Please spare this foolish older brother for once. You know better than this. Hem hem, though it's nothing special, please accept this as a token of my sincerity…

Biryu Yeon: Hmm…, shall we?

Hyo X: What are you doing in this sacred discussion hall?

Jang Hong: Did something just bark?

Biryu Yeon: I don't think someone who hasn't regained their senses would speak.

Jang Hong: That's true. He hasn't regained his senses yet. Will he recover?

Biryu Yeon: That remains to be seen in the next volume.

Jang Hong: (Smirk!) I see, so that's how it is…

Biryu Yeon: Your eyes look scary.

Jang Hong: Hahaha, it's an illusion! By the way, do you know about déjà vu?

Biryu Yeon: Oh, this is an excellent topic change. Why the sudden mention of déjà vu?

Jang Hong: I suddenly felt like talking about déjà vu. It's like a sense of obligation, a kind of divine revelation.

Biryu Yeon: Why? Does no one know what déjà vu is?

Jang Hong: Perhaps. Déjà vu is a kind of evidence that we are living in the world of the Matrix. You know how two black cats walk by in that movie?

Biryu Yeon: Yes.

Jang Hong: That's déjà vu.

Biryu Yeon: Huh? That doesn't seem right. The explanation is a bit strange.

Jang Hong: Tsk, was my difficult and profound explanation too hard to understand? Then I'll give you an example. It will be much easier for you and the readers to understand.

Biryu Yeon: Go ahead.

Jang Hong: A writer was approaching a deadline.

Biryu Yeon: That sounds like a terrible story. Poor thing.

Jang Hong: Of course, it's terrible. Sometimes even frightening. Anyway, a writer who was navigating the chaos of the deadline received a call from the editorial department.

Biryu Yeon: Did they not disconnect the phone line? A writer on deadline?

Jang Hong: Unfortunately, they say they didn't. And they didn't even remove the cell phone battery.

Biryu Yeon: Tsk tsk tsk, what an unprepared writer. How could they possibly navigate the chaos of the deadline with such a lazy spirit?

Jang Hong: Don't scold him too much. He must have been preoccupied with the deadline. Anyway, to get to the point, the editor said into the phone, "Author! The deadline is approaching, is the manuscript ready?" Then the author replied, "Huh? Didn't I already submit it after the deadline?"

Biryu Yeon: Wasn't that a problem with the email being sent, a system error, or a mistake by the publisher?

Jang Hong: Well, listen to my story to the end. We are talking about déjà vu right now. Then the editor replied, "That's impossible! We haven't received any completed manuscripts. You have to give it to us for us to receive it!" Then the author replied again, "No, I definitely submitted the manuscript a while ago. There must be some mistake. Please look carefully. Goodbye. Click! Beep-beep-" Do you understand? This is déjà vu.

Biryu Yeon: Hmm, well…? I think I understand, but I'm not sure. And the example seems a bit strange. So, if I were to guess, it's a word that refers to the feeling of having done something before, right?

Jang Hong: That's quite close. In psychological terms, it refers to feeling as if you have already experienced something, even though you have never experienced it before. In France, they also call it "déjà vu." It can also be used to express faint memories of past lives.

Biryu Yeon: France? Ah! It's French. But what does that have to do with the example you just gave?

Jang Hong: Just know that they are deeply and closely related. It is dangerous to approach the truths of the world too deeply.

Biryu Yeon: Hmm…

Jang Hong: Come on, don't think too deeply and let's just move on. Hahaha. Come on, come on!

Biryu Yeon: Hmm! Since my foolish older brother insists so earnestly, I'll let it go. Speaking of which, I heard the author planned to flee overseas this time?

Jang Hong: Ah! That happened. Your rumors travel fast.

Biryu Yeon: Doesn't "overseas escape" come from an old saying about fleeing across the sea to hide?

Jang Hong: So they say. Nowadays, you don't have to go far; you can easily encounter such people every day just by turning on the TV at home. It's a convenient world. Anyway, the author was planning a trip to Japan, just barely making the deadline. Perhaps the trip was an excuse, and if the deadline wasn't met, he planned to escape to Japan. He probably thought the editorial department's reach wouldn't extend across the sea.

Biryu Yeon: He probably did. As the deadline approached, "overseas escape" must have sounded as enchanting as a clear, beautiful sound ringing throughout the world. But I heard it was his first time traveling across the sea, other than to Jeju Island?

Jang Hong: Ah, yes, so I heard. He also said it was his first time getting a passport and visa.

Biryu Yeon: As the deadline drew nearer, the phrase "overseas escape" must have seemed like a dazzling knight in shining armor or a relief pitcher to the author facing a miserable reality?

Jang Hong: Surely not! But his first overseas trip was too haphazard. Secrecy, speed, accuracy, and boldness are the keys to an overseas escape, but he was too slow. In the end, he was caught and had to finish the work before leaving.

Biryu Yeon: Hmm, so that's how it turned out. Then, by the time Volume 12 is released, you'll be across the sea?

Jang Hong: Well, presumably.

Biryu Yeon: The illustrations for this issue were provided by Dudumbuchil and Sagwaman-nyeo from the Biryedo Daum Cafe. Thank you always for the wonderful artwork. We also extend our gratitude to those who upload many illustrations to the data room. We always enjoy looking at them. We will also be sending signed books to these individuals.

The Biryedo Daum Cafe addresses are as follows:

Geomryuhon's Extended Edition New Martial Arts Fantasy Novel ☆Biryedo★

(cafe.daum.net\/TGSNOSF)

▶▷Biryedo◁◀ (cafe.daum.net\/biroido)

Oh, and to the many readers who send fan letters, we apologize for not being able to reply to each one individually. However, we never forget our gratitude. We express our thanks through this opportunity. We will also urge the author to write more replies whenever possible. The author's E-mail address is [email protected].

Jang Hong: I will also diligently help with that.

Biryu Yeon & Jang Hong: Then, dear readers! We will end our story here, looking forward to the next volume. The author is preparing a special winter feature with a fighting spirit, so you can look forward to it. What it is, is still a sec-ret!

Until then, stay healthy!