Chapter 44
Translator: uly
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: The Black-Haired Duo of Chilgok County - 3
Getting kicked out of a room I rented myself...
It wouldn't even feel unfair, like when my mom kicked me out to clean the pigsty. Seeing no sign of the door opening, I eventually gave up and went back down to the first floor of the inn.
I didn't get to eat much earlier. Maybe I should order something like noodles if they have them.
"Huh? You were here?"
As I came down to the first floor, a familiar face acted as if they knew me.
"Mr. Wang? What brings you here?"
It was Mr. Wang from the fabric store. Fancy meeting you here.
"I was so busy today I couldn't eat a single meal. Things suddenly calmed down, so I found a moment to come order some food."
Mr. Wang's fabric store was near this inn.
"I was about to have a meal too. Would you like to join me?"
"I was going to take it back because I'm busy, but... sure, let's eat here."
Mr. Wang and I sat down and ordered some simple dishes.
"Business going well these days?"
"It's killing me. It's absolute chaos lately."
"Why's that?"
I asked lightly, just to be polite, but it seemed there was a real problem.
"The head of the Gap-su Merchant Group was assassinated, you know? The Gap-su Group supplies most of the silk to Chilgok County. But they say they can't deliver silk for a while because of mourning or something."
"If you can't sell silk, it must be hard to make big money."
What a fabric store mainly sells would be fabrics like hemp or muslin, but of course, you make a big profit by selling off luxury goods like silk.
"Exactly! You catch on quick! They're offering the original price for silk, so why wouldn't I sell? Why won't they hand over as much as I want to buy? Are they hiding it? Every customer that comes in tries to start a fight."
"Sigh. How can they give you silk they don't have? People are terrible."
You need to receive the goods to sell them. Reminds me of when I worked part-time at a convenience store.
— Mister, do you have that white broth ramen here? Do you have honey snacks?
— No, we don't.
— You're lying and hiding it. I've been a regular here for 10 years, show me the convenience store warehouse.
— This convenience store has only been open for a year. Ma'am! Why are you trying to open the warehouse on your own!
There were always one or two guys picking fights for all sorts of reasons. Later, I just wrote on a big piece of paper: 'The product you are looking for is not here. Please go to the next convenience store.'
Anyway, the problem everywhere is these unreasonable people.
"No, I am hiding some."
Mr. Wang carefully covered his mouth and spoke to me.
"Ah, I see."
So it's because of people like you that such unreasonable customers exist.
"If I sell right before news spreads that the Gap-su Group will resume silk deliveries after the funeral, I'll make a big profit, won't I? This is an opportunity."
Mr. Wang wore a satisfied expression, as if proud of his perfect plan.
"You'll have to time it well."
"Even if I miss the timing, the price will just drop to the original, so isn't this a no-loss business? By the way, aren't you doing your storyteller work?"
"I am. I was even called to perform at the Gap-su Merchant Group head's 60th birthday banquet not long ago."
The reaction during the performance was good and I got paid a lot. The problem is the horrific events that happened one after another after that.
"I'm talking about doing it in the marketplace. You did it for a few days when you first came, then you completely disappeared from the marketplace after that."
"More things happened than I thought, so I couldn't perform in the marketplace."
I did the storyteller work for a few days, then I met the Azure Sand Gang. The ending condition window popped up. I wrote 'Tales of the Wandering Hero' and it flopped! I was disappointed and messed up my life! While I was thinking that, I got invited to the Gap-su Group's 60th birthday banquet.
I hit the jackpot at the birthday banquet and was marveling at how life's ups and downs are unpredictable, then I ran into The Heavenly Killing Star. At this point, it's not just unpredictable ups and downs, it's like a series of sports car-level incidents happening one after another.
"You know, it's partly your fault that the marketplace is so busy these days."
A sudden story flowed from Mr. Wang's mouth.
"Huh?"
What are you talking about?
"The marketplace is in an uproar with stories about you these days."
"Huh?"
"The performance at the Gap-su Group's birthday banquet, word of mouth spread like crazy. The honored guests there were said to be extremely satisfied with your story of Young Master Ha Mu-rin, right?"
The reaction was good back then. I ate and drank, my condition was at its peak, and my acting went well, so I was satisfied too.
"That rumor spread to the marketplace?"
"It's a huge uproar, I tell you. Are the honored guests invited to the Gap-su Group just any ordinary guests? Would people like that find a story by a common storyteller interesting? The fact that such people were satisfied, but hardly any of the marketplace people who were inside the banquet hall actually heard your story, makes it an even bigger uproar."
"Aha. That's unexpected."
"So you should come out now and tell the story of Young Master Ha Mu-rin a bit. I'm so busy I'm dying, where have you been? Did that storyteller go somewhere else? Are you hiding him like the silk? I'm telling you, it's chaos for me."
"It's good that there are many people waiting, but I'm a little worried."
Suddenly, memories of that day came back. The rain falling from the sky, the damp ground, the disgusting smell, and the pain.
"Why? Because of those Azure Sand Gang bastards?"
"That's part of it."
If I work hard to earn money just to pay tribute to those Azure Sand Gang bastards, it's better not to do it at all.
"Let me tell you some good news. Those Azure Sand Gang bastards haven't been seen lately."
"Huh? Did the magistrate's office arrest them or something?"
"Not that. For some reason, they disappeared. If you're worried about the Azure Sand Gang, you don't need to be, you can come out and perform."
Did they get killed by other gangsters' blades? Did the Changgeom Gate clean up the Azure Sand Gang or something? What's the reason? It's definitely good news if they're not seen.
"Then I guess I can perform."
"If you just show up, you'll rake in money with a rake. Don't worry, just come out."
"Food is here!"
I ate the food brought by the young attendant and parted ways with Mr. Wang.
"So-hee?"
Open up now.
As the day grew dim, I stood in front of the guest room door again and called for The Heavenly Killing Star. I really want to rest in bed now.
I don't know exactly what point she was dissatisfied with, but I waited until night fell.
I even considered wandering outside, but I couldn't leave the inn because it might feel like running away.
If the inn had been crowded today, I would have been told to get lost quickly, but there were few guests, so I got less dirty looks.
"Come in."
The guest room door opened and a voice came from inside.
Yes. Thank you so much. You're finally opening the door.
When I went inside, The Heavenly Killing Star was crouched in the corner of the room like yesterday.
'It's not Ok-bun's face.'
The face of The Heavenly Killing Star in the corner was her original face. Maybe she let it go because it was a situation where she didn't need to disguise herself.
"So-hee, your clothes changed."
They weren't the clothes from when we first met. I don't know where she got them, but she had changed into a ninja outfit.
"I changed into comfortable clothes."
That outfit is comfortable?
The upper chest cleavage was exposed, and red strings were dangling loosely around her neck and body.
Especially that red string running from her neck to her chest is truly admirable. Is it just fashion? Or is it used to support an impressive size that even internal energy can't withstand?
The side of her breast, slightly pressed by the red string, would rob men of their sleep just by looking at it.
It might be nice for the viewer, but it's amazing that she finds that ninja outfit comfortable.
Is it like a military uniform or work clothes? It's familiar, so it's comfortable.
"So-hee, it's getting dark, shouldn't we have a meal?"
I had some simple snacks in my hand.
"Not eating."
"I don't know why you're in a bad mood, but if you get hungry on top of that, you'll only get more depressed. I'll leave it here, eat it when you're hungry."
I was going to feed her something she likes and try to build camaraderie now, but those Gap-su Group warriors ruined everything.
I cautiously approached The Heavenly Killing Star's side.
If I turned my gaze just a little towards the sitting Cheon So-hee, a breathtaking view would unfold, but I must not look.
An older brother doesn't think such thoughts about a childhood friend younger sister. I just need to bend my waist quietly and put the food down.
But the moment I bent my waist, I realized.
I had underestimated 'it'.
Overwhelming mass generates overwhelming gravity. No matter how much you act or try to maintain a poker face, as a man, there are things you absolutely cannot withstand.
The moment my gaze was drawn a little by the gravity of the singularity, my eyes met The Heavenly Killing Star's.
Gasp. So-hee. It's not that your brother's gaze moved, drawn by temptation. This is an irresistible gravity problem!
Fortunately, The Heavenly Killing Star was just quietly watching me place the food beside her.
When I placed the food beside her, The Heavenly Killing Star briefly looked at the menu of the food I had set down. A somewhat dissatisfied gaze.
Perhaps it's because it's not that menu.
This kid is trying to cross the line.
Someone survived a day eating just a lump of flour bread, and demanding rose tteokbokki twice a day is crossing the line.
I placed the food beside Cheon So-hee and sat on the edge of the bed. The Heavenly Killing Star kept looking at me without eating the food.
Not thinking about food? Should I try talking? Asking why she locked the door would be a bad move, so maybe I should try selling non-existent memories again.
"You didn't... run..."
The Heavenly Killing Star spoke in a low voice.
"Huh?"
"You didn't run. I thought you would go."
"Haha. So-hee. Where would I run to, leaving you behind?"
Attempting escape against The Heavenly Killing Star, who has assassin skills. In martial arts, that's an outright death flag.
If I showed even a hint of trying to run away, I'd either go from being an older brother to a former older brother, or get sliced into three pieces as a con man.
The Thousand-League Tracking Incense components probably still remain in my body, so escape isn't the right judgment. If we want to part, I need to make The Heavenly Killing Star leave my side, not me leave.
"Right."
The Heavenly Killing Star nodded slightly and buried her face in her knees.
Nothing more to say? Then I should organize my clothes.
I took out my precious work-purpose Joseon clothes from my luggage.
"Wow. They washed it well."
Old clothes can just be washed in a stream, but the outer robe can't. I'd love to dry clean it, but there's no dry cleaner here.
When I was at the Gap-su Group, I asked a passing servant to do some laundry for me.
They came by later to give it to me, so I greeted them and put it away, but I didn't expect it to be this good. It's like a brand new outfit. I was in a hurry to prepare to meet The Heavenly Killing Star, so I just gave a quick greeting, but maybe I should have thanked them more properly.
"I have to work tomorrow."
I subtly hinted at my schedule tomorrow to The Heavenly Killing Star. I'm going out tomorrow. Follow or don't.
I need to work to make a living. If I keep having this subtle battle of nerves with The Heavenly Killing Star in the room, I'll develop a neurosis at some point.
It's better to go out and do my money-making storyteller work.
"You... spoke well earlier."
As I was organizing the clothes I would wear tomorrow, The Heavenly Killing Star spoke from behind. It was said quietly, but I could sense a tone of praise in it.
She must be talking about the Gap-su Group incident earlier.
"Wasn't it all to keep So-hee from getting hurt? I'm not usually that good at speaking, but I found strength I didn't have before just now."
An older brother gains strength when thinking of his younger sister. It's all because I was worried about you that I spoke well. I packaged it that way.
"You tell stories well too."
What story is she talking about? She probably hasn't caught on to the childhood friend lie yet. Did she see me doing my storyteller work?
"By any chance, did you hear the story I was telling at the Gap-su Group?"
"They said it was a Joseon story. A little."
The Heavenly Killing Star nodded slightly. So she saw it.
"You heard the story I was telling. That's a bit embarrassing."
I scratched my cheek and made an embarrassed expression.
Cheon So-hee stared at me like that, then her lips twitched. Was there something she was debating whether to say or not? Cheon So-hee kept looking at me like that and finally brought out what she was going to say.
"Were you good at telling stories even when you were little?"
The words The Heavenly Killing Star hesitated over were a question about my past.
This is an opportunity.
The first curiosity about me that The Heavenly Killing Star has shown since yesterday. Proof that interest in me has arisen.
Yes. I was good at talking even when I was little. Everyone melted with my silver tongue. That kind of self-praising comment would be the worst of the worst moves. I must never answer this question carelessly.
I smiled a sigh of relief inside.
Thank goodness.
I already have something prepared for a situation like this.
A situation where The Heavenly Killing Star interrogates me.
A method I can use when she can't trust me even with yesterday's logic.
When The Heavenly Killing Star becomes curious about my past. Something I made for that moment.
Shall I use that plan?