Chapter 32
Translator: uly
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: The Black-Haired Storyteller's Crisis - 1
"Shopkeeper. What are you thinking, selling off my book?"
In front of the bookstore in Chilgok County. I stood with my arms crossed, confronting the bookstore owner.
It was true that I was anxious because no one was reading my book. But it wasn't a story that was destined to fail.
My book just needed one person. Then, word of mouth would spread immediately. That's what I thought as I waited.
Who would have thought the bookstore owner would sell my book to a peddler?
"Well, what else was I supposed to do with a book no one even rented?"
"You said you'd put it on the shelf instead of selling it cheap."
"And I did leave it there for ten days. Then a peddler came with new books and there was no space left. Who's going to buy a book no one even borrowed? You sell it when you can sell it."
Even rental shops put books aside after the new release period ends, but to sell it off like that...
It reminds me of those rental novels that only I found interesting and no one else read.
—Landlady, when is Volume 2 coming in?
—That one? I just returned it.
I wonder how it feels to have the work you poured your heart into get returned at a rental shop. Not being an author from the rental era, I didn't know that feeling.
Who would have thought I'd experience that feeling here? My book got returned. I wouldn't have felt so wronged if it had just come back to me.
Where on earth was it sold to?
"Where was the book sold?"
"Sold to a peddler heading to Wuchang."
"Wuchang is too far..."
I had written my pen name small in the corner of the Stormy Chivalry cover.
Kang Mo
Kang So-and-so. Who is the most famous Kang So-and-so in Chilgok County? Me, the Joseon storyteller, of course.
If my book became famous, they would come looking for me. They'd ask me for a handwritten copy and pay me, and then I'd start mass-producing handwritten copies. I wouldn't even mind illegal copying.
They'd be too curious about the Volume 2 content.
Who exactly is the woman being chased by the villains? They said she's pretty, will she really get involved with the protagonist? Can the protagonist from the Wudang Sect really shake off the villains' pursuit?
'Please, give us Volume 2!!'
'I really want to read Volume 2!!'
'Haha, I don't have the money to write Volume 2.'
I'd rub my nose and say I'd write Volume 2 if they paid up. It was the perfect debut plan for a novelist in Chilgok County.
Now, even if my book becomes a hit somewhere, they'll be looking for the most famous Kang So-and-so in Wuchang.
"In the end, it was a spectacular failure."
I had a brief argument with the bookstore owner and just left. There was no way to retrieve a book that had already traveled far away, and there was no need to get worked up over nothing. Besides, I was too hungry to muster the energy to get really angry.
I looked up at the blue sky and let out a big sigh.
Actually, I had expected it.
I just got my hopes up because the novel was well-written. I knew from the start that becoming famous with just one volume didn't make sense. I guess my happiness circuit was running too strong.
That's the problem with writers.
Once you write something, the happiness circuit kicks in. In reality, even if you rewrite the prologue dozens of times, there are only a few cases where it becomes a hit.
I didn't analyze market trends, nor did I mass-produce books. Thinking my book would be a hit under those circumstances was foolish.
In the world of this martial arts dating sim, my first writing attempt ended in spectacular failure.
But rather than feeling despair over the failure, I feel relieved. Along with the sigh I just heaved towards the sky, I blew away any negative thoughts.
I failed, but I haven't lost sight of my goal to escape this world. I was just a bit hasty.
The light in the darkness, the ending conditions, still shine. If I proceed without haste, I will reach my destination. I just need to believe that and live on, challenging myself.
"Now, how do I make a living?"
A goal is a goal. The future is the future. In the end, the fact that the one-hit wonder I poured my soul into has perished remains unchanged. Now is the time to deal with the aftermath.
Fortunately, my body has fully recovered. The problem is I spent all my money making the book. I could survive on a piece of flour bread for another ten days or so, but now I needed to work.
Should I start the storyteller job again?
It would be a problem if those Azure Sand bastards come swarming again.
Just as I was worrying, someone spoke to me.
"Excuse me, are you the famous Joseon storyteller these days?"
Who is it? I turned around to see a middle-aged man. The middle-aged man had deep wrinkles on his face and hands, but was dressed in clean, nice clothes.
He looked like a servant from a good household.
"Yes. I am Kang Mo, who has been working as a storyteller in the marketplace these days."
"Ah! I've found the right person. I am a servant of the famous merchant leader of Chilgok County, Merchant Leader Im Gap-su of the Gap-su Merchant Company."
"Gap-su Merchant Company? I've seen the Gap-su Merchant Company coming and going. What business does such a merchant leader have with me?"
I remember it as a prominent merchant company in Chilgok County. Did they deal in silk?
"It's nothing much. In a few days, there will be a celebration for our Merchant Leader Im Gap-su's 60th birthday. On that day, could you come and tell the Joseon stories that have become famous in the marketplace lately? If you agree, we would like to invite you as a guest of the Gap-su Merchant Company on the day of the celebration."
It was a truly unexpected proposal. This feels like inviting a celebrity or comedian to a party.
I have a feeling this is a jackpot deal.
"Of course. Naturally, for the 60th birthday celebration of Merchant Leader Im Gap-su, a pillar of this town who has contributed greatly, of course I should attend."
"Ah! Then..."
You should hear the story to the end. I immediately cut off the servant uncle, whose face had brightened.
"But! As you know, I've become somewhat famous in Chilgok County lately. People who want to hear my stories come to where I tell them every day. Betraying their expectations and going to the Gap-su Merchant Company that day..."
I phrased it indirectly, but the point was this. Is it okay for me to go, even if it means giving up that day's earnings?
It's a bit of a guilty thing to say. I've been closed for business for half a month. But it's true that I'm popular. Every time I pass through the marketplace, I get asked why I haven't been working lately.
"The Gap-su Merchant Company never treats its guests poorly."
The servant uncle spoke in a somewhat serious tone. As expected of a merchant company person, he immediately discerned the hidden meaning.
He's saying they'll pay generously.
But I shouldn't agree immediately just because he expressed it vaguely.
There was this guy who said if I came to where he lived, he'd treat me to a full course. When I actually went, he said let's just go to a PC bang together. Shouldn't you at least treat me to a billiards hall?
The one in a hurry is him. Let's try to get a better deal.
"It's not that I dislike becoming a guest of the Gap-su Merchant Company. On the contrary, it's an honor. Actually, I hesitated because I have a concern."
"What concern?"
"I don't know if you're aware, but I was sick for a few days and couldn't work. My body has recovered, but I spent days without proper food or sleep, so I haven't been able to recuperate properly. I'm worried I won't be able to tell stories properly that day."
I made a slightly pained expression.
Alright, let's make the deal.
"Huh. Such a thing... Then, how about coming as a guest of the Gap-su Merchant Company starting today? If you come, get some nourishment and sleep well, you'll be able to do your storyteller job properly on that day, won't you?"
I can sleep for a few days on a rich household's bed instead of the damp straw pile in a shack?
I can't resist this.
"If you do that for me, I will put my whole heart and soul into giving a passionate performance on the day of the birthday celebration."
"Good. Let's go together."
Excellent.
Can I finally eat meat after so long? If it's a feast house, I might get to drink some alcohol too. My hungry stomach churns at the thought of food.
Is this why they say life is full of surprises?
A few days ago, I got my money stolen, was beaten up, and my novel failed. Today, I'm invited as a guest of a merchant company. I'll get paid generously and can rest comfortably too.
Without showing my joy, I followed the servant with light steps onto the road.
Chilgok County shantytown.
The Heavenly Secrets Master was still sitting there with his mat spread out.
"The Ghost Guest is too late."
It had already been over half a month since The Heavenly Secrets Master met the Reversal of Heaven's Child.
He came here because he was told he would meet both a Noble Guest and a Ghost Guest. He met the noble guest rather easily, but the ghost guest hadn't appeared.
It would be nice to pass the time by telling others' fortunes, but lately, troublemakers have been appearing here, muddying the waters.
Those bastards from the Azure Sand faction, or whatever they call themselves.
Thanks to them, even the few customers he had per day stopped coming.
"Old man. Who said you could do business here?"
Scoundrels not even worthy of being called thugs. Such fellows approached The Heavenly Secrets Master too. The Heavenly Secrets Master looked at the face of one of the approaching thugs and opened his mouth.
"You, your father passed away early and your mother raised you with difficulty."
"How do you know that, old man... no, how do you know that, venerable sir?"
The person who seemed to be the leader among the Azure Sand faction gang, who was about to threaten The Heavenly Secrets Master, stopped and asked.
Usually, when there's a gang of delinquents, one or two of them tend to have unfortunate family circumstances. Finding such a person was possible even without fortune-telling.
"Go to your mother right now. You should see her final moments, shouldn't you?"
When The Heavenly Secrets Master spoke in a serious tone, the Azure Sand gangster showed a moment of contemplation.
"Old man. Know that you'll die if you're lying!! Let's go!"
Perhaps he realized something was seriously wrong. Upon hearing that his mother's death was imminent, the Azure Sand warrior led the others and disappeared.
As the Azure Sand warrior disappeared from sight, The Heavenly Secrets Master opened his mouth.
"The killing aura has gone to the mother. He didn't know his place and accumulated too much karma. How could he think it's okay to torment those weaker than himself and accumulate so much resentment? Once his mother dies, misfortune will soon return to that bastard."
The Heavenly Secrets Master looked at the alley where the Azure Sand gangsters had disappeared with a bitter expression.
The alley where the sun had just set was slowly being covered by dusk from its end. The shantytown after sunset would be filled with the groans of the sick and people sleeping while clutching their hungry stomachs.
In the end, he only met one free customer again today.
Just as The Heavenly Secrets Master was about to pack up his business and put his tools in his bag.
"Hello."
A woman appeared before The Heavenly Secrets Master's eyes.
Where did she come from? Just a moment ago, there was no one.
"A woman appearing at dusk. Not very auspicious."
"You're The Heavenly Secrets Master, right?"
Without responding to The Heavenly Secrets Master's words at all, the expressionless woman asked about The Heavenly Secrets Master's identity.
"That's right. And who might you be, guest?"
"If you're The Heavenly Secrets Master, then guess."
To have such an attitude before The Heavenly Secrets Master, who is difficult to get even a word from even if you bring gold and jewels. Her attitude actually made The Heavenly Secrets Master nervous.
"Hmm. A woman who comes at a time when it's hard to distinguish between a dog and a wolf. I've never had trouble distinguishing between a dog and a wolf at this time, but now it's difficult to tell."
"Am I hard to see?"
The woman slowly approached The Heavenly Secrets Master so he could see her better.
"No, I mean I can't tell if you're a human guest or a ghost guest."
"......"
At the mention of a ghost, the woman stopped in her tracks.
"You don't even hide your innate killing intent. For my own sake, I should greet you properly."
The Heavenly Secrets Master, who was sitting, gave a light nod of greeting to the woman.
"Do you know who I am?"
At the woman's question, The Heavenly Secrets Master made a very stiff expression.
He would meet a Ghost Guest.
A ghost guest... Does that mean a dead person?
She wasn't dead.
She was one who turns the living into vengeful spirits.
"How could I fail to recognize the Heavenly Killing Star of this generation?"
The person The Heavenly Secrets Master had been waiting for so long.
She was the Heavenly Killing Star.