Snared by Saju While Writing Martial Arts

I wanted to write martial arts novels.

The fantasy stories I used to scribble in my notebook during self-study sessions in high school happened to gain popularity, got published, and sold reasonably well.

In many ways, fantasy was easier to write because it had fewer constraints.

Even so, I longed to write martial arts.

Call it a childhood dream, but martial arts felt more difficult to master, and telling others about it felt a bit less embarrassing—I admired that aura.

“The Five Elements philosophy is there, but it hasn’t been applied properly, has it?”

I liked unique things, things that twisted clichés.

Since I wasn’t exactly a top-tier stylist, my strategy was to set my subject matter apart from the rest.

So, I thought: what if the protagonist of a martial arts novel was a professional diviner?

That was the idea.

A protagonist who looks at Saju and physiognomy to avoid battles on days they might die, and acts with bold confidence on days they are destined to live no matter what.

A setting where human compatibility exists according to Gunghap and the Five Elements—if the compatibility is there, you win; if not, you have to work twice as hard.

“I’ll need to know Saju then.”

With no one to teach me, I read a few books and mastered it through ‘discipline.’

Armed with the knowledge of Saju and the I Ching, I made a serious challenge to the martial arts genre.

I failed miserably.

The feedback was that the material was fresh, but because I’d learned a bit of Saju, I acted like such an insufferable ‘explainer’ that readers complained they were exhausted.

The publisher of my previous work released it because the initial serialization metrics were good, but we both ended up just losing money.

“First quarter royalties… 110,000 won. Divided by three, that’s about 30,000 won a month.”

Three months’ worth of e-book royalties were deposited, totaling 110,000 won.

I hadn’t even earned 40,000 won a month.

“I’d make more money doing Saju readings.”

There’s no way to survive on 40,000 won a month.

In the end, I had to take up a part-time job.

Ironically, thanks to the research I did on Saju while writing the novel, I was able to get a job doing readings.

There was an open chat room for Saju.

I found people wanting readings there and earned pocket money, charging 10,000 to 20,000 won per online session.

This month, I had 13 people, earning about 200,000 won.

The side hustle had surpassed the main job.

I had studied Saju from books during my military service.

The unit had implemented a system called ‘Goal-Oriented Self-Development,’ where all soldiers had to study from 8 PM to 9 PM.

Planning to write martial arts after discharge, I was studying Saju when I got hit hard.

Since a Private was sitting there looking at a Saju book, all sorts of seniors and officers brought their own dates of birth, along with those of their acquaintances and family, and forced me to give them readings.

Thanks to that practical ‘combat training,’ I became a victor of the Saju wars.

With the experience gained in the military, I could confidently read men’s fortunes.

However, the people caught in the talent markets and open chats are almost all women.

My talent and the situation just didn’t seem to align.

*********************************

Ultimately, after seeing the first-quarter settlement, I applied to be a forest fire monitor.

It’s a temporary position hired by local governments during the dry spring season.

Carrying a pack, I hiked the mountains alongside elderly men around retirement age.

It’s a physical labor job where you hike with a pump sprayer on your back.

“Young folks are doing this kind of thing these days, huh.”

“They say the job market is tough. It’s a relief that house’s son is at least working.”

The older men treated me like a subordinate, but since I was young, they found me endearing and even bought me makgeolli.

“What did this kid do before coming here? Hey, what were you doing? Aren’t you in school?”

“He said he was doing Saju readings.”

I didn’t say I was a writer.

My best-selling representative works are either light novels or erotica.

The titles are so… vibrant that I can’t bring myself to say them.

Since Saju is currently bringing in more income, I push my side hustle as my main job, calling myself a fortune teller.

“You know how to read Saju?”

“He’s actually quite good at it.”

I gave readings to the older men and received meals or drinks in return.

Just like in the military, I was treated as someone with an interesting skill.

As the topic of my skill came up, stories related to Saju began to circulate among the men as we climbed the mountain.

From their mouths came a report about the ‘Taoist of Unjangsan.’

“There’s a Taoist living on this mountain. They say that man reads Saju and physiognomy, too.”

“Oh, really? I wonder if this kid is better, or that man.”

Hearing that piqued my interest.

“Really? I’m curious. Where does he live?”

The place my colleagues led me to was a small hut on private land, not far from the provincial park information center.

With disheveled hair and a long beard, the man looked every bit the Taoist I imagined.

Without mentioning that I knew Saju, I requested a reading.

“Excuse me. Would you mind taking a look at my Saju?”

The Taoist stared at me intently before replying.

“I wonder if there is any reason for you to ask, but very well.”

Pretending to be ignorant, I gave him my birth time exactly as it was.

I already knew my own Saju, after all.

The Taoist pulled out a worn book—a Manse-ryeok, used to convert a person’s birth time into the four pillars.

If a Manse-ryeok doesn’t appear, the person either reads Saju through divine power or doesn’t know how to read it at all.

He hit the mark on my Saju instantly.

“A writer’s Saju, or one destined to hold two or more professions. Despite your appearance, you must be writing.”

I was slightly impressed.

He immediately identified the Yong-sin (useful god) of my Saju and even guessed my profession.

I still need time to interpret when I look at a reading.

It was certain he was someone who read Saju with a solid foundation.

If so, there was no reason to hide it further.

Hiding it would only make the other party feel unpleasant.

“Because of the Im-ja Day Pillar?”

“Ho-ho, you know of the Im-ja Day Pillar?”

“I’ve seen about sixteen people with that pillar; five were writers, and seven were people who wrote prose or poetry even as a hobby. Many writers seem to have it.”

“So you asked even though you knew. Why ask, then?”

“I found it impossible to look at my own destiny objectively. I end up interpreting everything in a positive light. But if my life had actually functioned in that ‘positive’ way, I’d be a tycoon by now. Instead, I’m here picking up cigarette butts.”

“True, if it had unfolded well, you look like you’d have the fate of someone writing self-help books about their success while relaxing in a foreign hotel. What kind of writing do you do?”

That had been my life goal, but for that, I needed money and success.

“Well, I once studied Saju and published a martial arts novel where the protagonist freely uses martial arts according to the principles of the Five Elements.”

The Taoist of Unjangsan’s expression changed at those words.

He had originally looked grumpy and unpleasant, but his eyes softened.

“You wrote a martial arts novel using Saju as the subject?”

“Yes.”

“That must have been interesting. Is the book in bookstores?”

“That… no. Well, it mostly goes to comic book rental shops, so if you want to find it on the market, you have to buy it from an online bookstore. I do have a few copies myself, though.”

“If you give me those books, I shall give you a book as a gift in return.”

“I wonder if you’ll find it fun.”

“It will certainly be interesting to me.”

“The thing is, only up to volume three is a physical book; everything after that is an e-book.”

“I don’t quite understand what an ‘e-book’ is, but give me all three physical volumes. If you do, I shall give you two more gifts.”

The martial arts novel I wrote, The Diviner’s Sword, only had three volumes in print, and it was completed with a total of eight volumes as an e-book. 200 chapters.

Even those physical copies were just sitting as dead stock; I could probably get more if I contacted the publisher.

I wondered if he was going to give me something like arrowroot liquor, snake wine, or plum extract he’d brewed himself, but since I had plenty of stock, I didn’t mind giving them away.

I was also curious to hear a critique from a practicing fortune teller.

*********************************

The next day. When I climbed the mountain again, I brought volumes 1, 2, and 3 of The Diviner’s Sword.

When I handed them to the Taoist, he gave his impression after reading them.

“I enjoyed them. They were very interesting.”

“Ah, thank you.”

People usually say it’s fun to a writer’s face.

Still, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride at those words.

“From the perspective of someone who reads Saju, there were a few historical inaccuracies, but… the power of application was excellent.”

“Oh, you flatter me.”

Since I learned it specifically to write the novel, my application skills had to be good.

“I can feel that you didn’t just crudely read a lot of books, but actually experienced and learned by seeing people directly. Though you haven’t studied as much as a Master or Doctor, it seems you’ve gone through quite a bit of trial and error in the field.”

“I suppose that’s how it turned out.”

Practical Saju training. Now, I felt somewhat grateful for it.

“But you say there is no next book? Where is volume four?”

“Uh… from volume four, you can only see it on a computer or a smartphone.”

“Why is that?”

“It didn’t sell very well. It was a failure in terms of printing physical books, so the publisher took a big loss. Since e-books are data, the distribution margins are lower, so the loss seems to be less.”

“That is a shame. I am not very familiar with this thing called a smartphone. Still, I will try to find it somehow. Oh, by the way. May I keep these books?”

“You said you’d give me a gift. So… sure, take them. I’m glad you enjoyed them.”

“Indeed. Now, take this book.”

The Taoist of Unjangsan pulled out a book that looked old enough to appear on a hidden treasures show.

“Is this a cultural artifact?”

“It is a secret record I wrote myself. Read it.”

“Well, I’ve read the Cheok-cheon-su and Yeon-hae-ja-pyeong. It’s not one of those, right?”

“Those can be found in any market; why would I bother giving them to you? This is a book describing the truths of Saju that I have realized, but I was unable to publish it.”

I flipped through it and felt a bit flustered. As expected, it was full of Chinese characters.

At the very least, there were annotations written in tiny Korean calligraphy.

“I also wanted to have the secrets I wrote read by many people, but the timing of my fate did not allow it. However, to write a novel using Saju… it is impressive, and I am truly envious.”

“I’m flattered. Thank you for the book.”

I didn’t think this would be some historical secret on the level of the Tojeong Bigyeol, but I accepted it with a smile.

“I would not have given it to you if you were not a writer. Now, for the second volume’s gift, I give you this.”

“What is this key for?”

The Taoist handed over a bundle of keys. I had no idea what it meant.

“There is a place called Seoseohak-dong near the Jeonju Hanok Village. Do you know it?”

“Yes, I know it.”

“Across the Jeonju Stream from the Hanok Village, there is a closed two-story commercial building. On the first-floor nameplate, it will say Myeong-seung Philosophy Hall. These are the keys to that house.”

“Why are you giving these keys to me?”

“Use it as your studio.”

“A studio? What?”

I longed for a studio where I could write alone.

But with my current assets, it was an impossible dream.

Yet, like a dream, this Taoist was just giving it to me.

“You haven’t moved out yet, have you? You’re stuck in a corner of your room clattering away at that computer, and since your wealth luck hasn’t kicked in yet, you must be getting quite a bit of nagging at home.”

“That’s true. My parents don’t like it because it’s unstable and doesn’t make money.”

“So, use it. You can use the TV, the computer, and the books. There might be customers who visit occasionally; just tell them you are the disciple of Master Myeong-seung.”

“I’m not that person’s disciple, though.”

“I am Myeong-seung.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Therefore, if you realize the contents of that book… you may say so. If a customer comes while you are working, give them a Saju reading, charge an appropriate consultation fee befitting my name, and use it as pocket money.”

“But is it really okay for me to just suddenly start operating there? It feels a bit burdensome. It’s fine. It was just one book; why a whole studio? I won’t take it.”

The favor felt excessive for a simple book gift.

So, I kept questioning him skeptically.

It was an appeal that I felt burdened.

I held out the bundle of keys uneasily, but the Taoist refused to take them back.

“From what I see, it looks like you are considering quitting being a writer.”

“I’m a commercial writer, but I can’t sell my books. And at my age, it’s time to look at reality rather than dreams.”

Writing while worrying about my next meal had made my prose increasingly rushed and devoid of fantasy.

“I want to see the volumes of The Diviner’s Sword after volume four in print, so I will lend it to you as a form of sponsorship.”

“Those words are… heart-wrenchingly kind. Thank you.”

“The rent is practically non-existent. I am passing it down to you, so use it. Keep all the profit you make. Use that money to write without burden. You will be able to earn much more.”

They were truly grateful words, exactly as he said.

Nevertheless, because it was so much, I declined one more time to show courtesy and humility.

“I don’t have the luck to make money in my youth…”

“According to my secret record, you do have the luck to make money.”

“Based on what? This is a period where my wealth luck can’t gain strength.”

“That is, well… similar to how an amateur is struck by a master’s martial arts without even knowing it. You must realize first-class martial arts to at least know what is hitting you. This secret record is a manual to become first-class—no, a peerless master.”

This man—or grandfather, I couldn’t tell—this Taoist. He was a martial arts fan.

“Then… I suppose you’re putting me in charge of a sub-branch of your sect.”

“Exactly.”

I felt excited as if I’d met a comrade, but it was also a bit embarrassing.

“I want to believe you, so I will.”

“Since you gave me three volumes, I must give you the remaining one as well.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine. Really, it’s fine. You don’t have to give me anything else.”

Trading books for a book was one thing.

But exchanging books for a studio rental was already too much, so I was bowing and scraping, yet he insisted on giving me something else.

“I have given you the secret manual and the sub-branch, but what use are they without a precious sword to carry out justice?”

I was about to say, ‘Ugh, that’s so cringey. You can stop now,’ but he seemed like the type who couldn’t stop once he started, so I just listened.

“Hahaha. It’s not a real sword, right? I have to take the bus with it.”

“Do not worry. You have already received it.”

“Is it an Invisible Sword?”

“Ho-ho, let’s not overdo it.”

I felt slightly less grateful for the studio.

“Well, even if it’s just dreams and hope, it’s fine. It’s truly more than enough.”

I walked down with a smile, feeling the burden of receiving more.

The studio alone made him a benefactor I would likely never see again.

***************************************

I read the Taoist of Unjangsan’s secret record in one breath as soon as I got down from the mountain.

“This guy is exactly like me, completely.”

The secrets weren’t particularly difficult for someone who knew a bit of Saju.

But the secret text was full of typos, went off on tangents unrelated to the development, the explanations were incredibly long, and there wasn’t a single paragraph break.

It was exactly the pattern my publisher analyzed and scolded me for when I failed.

Mmm, so that’s why he found my book interesting. It felt a bit bittersweet.

“But there’s absolutely no basis for me making money in my youth. It just says to endure through various experiences until middle age. Then a path will appear. It’s the exact same Saju I already know.”

Although it taught me many new things related to Saju, in the end, I couldn’t find any grounds for hitting the jackpot while young.

Only the part titled ‘Destiny Fortification’ was somewhat interesting.

“Huh?”

I thought I’d finished it all, but there was one more sheet of paper stuck to the end of the book cover.

It looked like it had gotten stuck because of the ink while he was writing.

There was no way my own Saju would be written here, but it was only polite to read the conclusion and the afterword, so I spread it open.

It was, literally, an afterword.

“He who masters this secret will obtain the hidden technique to fortify the innate and unchangeable Saju… Eh?”