Chapter 49
Translator: uly
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: The Return of the Black-Haired Storyteller - 2
How does a martial artist make money?
The easiest way is to lend out their sword for money.
In the martial world, people who do this are called blade-for-hire or ronin. In fantasy terms, they're a kind of mercenary. Most of these people are lowlifes, living day-to-day, and their average lifespan tends to be short.
If such martial artists happen to gain an opportunity or have the talent to reach a high level, they become retainers for other sects. They gain affiliation, receive benefits, and contribute their strength as retainers when needed.
Then, how do sects, not individual martial artists, make money?
The so-called Nine Sects and One Temple, famous orthodox factions, have quite a few means to earn money. Since the Nine Sects and One Temple mostly have the character of religious organizations, they receive significant donations from the extremely wealthy, officials, and believers.
On top of that, they own numerous rice paddies and fields, and the tenant fees and agricultural produce from them become the sect's assets. They also take in secular disciples for money and teach them the sect's martial arts. Depending on the situation, they run businesses too.
Sects on the level of the Nine Sects and One Temple in martial arts stories are not greatly constrained by money. But that's only the story of famous orthodox factions and large sects.
How do sects like the Changgeom Sect, which can barely flex their muscles within a county like Chilgok County, make money?
They might take in disciples for money or run businesses, but if that doesn't bring in big money, what should they do?
The best method is to collect protection money from shops.
From troublesome customers, drunks, and bullies to black-clad bandits wielding swords. In the unstable martial world, small sects patrol the streets, solve merchants' problems, protect them, and regularly receive money.
But refusing protection just because someone didn't pay? That's crossing a line.
You bastard, what's-his-name Yoon.
Then why have orthodox factions?
'If people pay a fair price, we rightfully lend our blades. We draw our swords but do not wield them against the common folk—that's why we're called an orthodox faction.'
What that Yoon guy said that day came to mind.
No, wielding a sword against anyone is the act of a madman. How can you divide between righteous and evil paths with that? If an oppressed commoner arrives right before your eyes like a delivery service, you should draw your sword for them.
Is that what you think is fair?
Then I'll treat you fairly in my own way too.
"To die, or not to die, that is the question!"
With a booming voice, I opened the first act with a famous line. A large number of the audience was instantly overwhelmed and began focusing on me.
What's-his-name Yoon was also surprised by my loud voice, his eyes wide and mouth agape as he stared at me.
"My father has passed away. Assassinated by a fiend! My father's family headship did not pass to me, but to my uncle."
All my thoughts were focused on what's-his-name Yoon, but the lines flowed out smoothly without a hitch. As expected, even my mouth has muscle memory.
"The storyteller's voice is so clear and resonant."
"I wonder who the fiend is?"
"From what I heard when I came before..."
"Hey! You there! There are many people hearing this for the first time around here, are you trying to spoil it?"
"Sorry! Everyone, don't look this way. It's scary. I won't say anything!"
What's-his-name Yoon was focused on my story, just like the spectators. Unaware of the calamity about to unfold upon him.
I proceeded with the dialogue between the uncle and the new mother and entered the part of the enraged Young Master Ha Mu-rin.
"Heavens!! Did you see that spectacle?!!"
I cried out in Young Master Ha Mu-rin's voice, weeping not at the sky but while covering the spectators with a fan.
"I wish to kill those dog-like, adulterous scoundrels right this instant!! What say you?!!!"
Normally, I'd just be pretending to be angry, but with someone I truly wanted to kill right before my eyes, the lines were imbued with intense rage.
"Kill them!!!"
"Tear them limb from limb!!!"
"Your father is weeping in his grave!! Kill them quickly!!"
"Take the new mother for yourself and just kill the uncle!!"
"Huh? That sounds good too."
"The new mother must be pretty, right? Just kill the uncle!!! The new mother, heh heh!"
"What are you idiots saying! Just kill them all!!"
"Wow. Talking about this storyteller's tale feels like his father really died."
"It feels so real, it's good."
The audience's reaction to my anger boiled over. Yeah, I should kill them. I should definitely kill them.
"But, Heavens. Even if I kill those adulterous scoundrels, there is no evidence, so I too will be executed. For I am the unfilial son who killed his mother and uncle. However, if I go to the scene where my father passed away and bring back evidence, I can kill those adulterous scoundrels!!"
Now was the time to use the begging-for-travel-money technique that determines a storyteller's daily income.
"The family head's assets are the assets of those filthy adulterers. To avenge my father, I cannot use that dirty money. Heavens!! Will you share travel funds with me?!!"
As usual, I quickly descended from the stage and pulled out my begging bowl. Normally, I would have walked around in front of the people holding money strings with the bowl.
But today was different.
I only had to kill one bastard.
"Heavens!!!"
Without looking at anyone, I walked straight until I was right in front of what's-his-name Yoon.
Originally, I don't go right up to someone like this. I usually keep some distance so multiple people can reach out and throw money.
"Huh?"
What's-his-name Yoon showed a slightly flustered expression when I thrust the bowl right up to his chest.
"Heavens!! Without travel funds, I cannot go to the scene of my father's murder!!"
From today, you are my heaven, no, my easy mark. You bastard.
Pay up!
"Here you go."
What's-his-name Yoon gave money faster than expected. His response is surprisingly swift. As expected of a martial artist, his judgment is quick.
But he's a bit stingy. Why are all the coins in the bowl dark, grimy, and coppery?
This is far from enough to cover what I endured that day. Plus, my heart suffered many wounds that day.
After receiving the money, I naturally used the begging technique on other people as well, pretending it was an accident that I used it in front of Sir Yoon, not on purpose.
The first step was done. I'd love to empty Sir's pockets of all his money, but I mustn't let what's-his-name Yoon realize he's my target. If he runs away before I finish milking him, it'll be a big problem.
Once the money was gathered, I went back up on the stage and resumed my performance.
What's-his-name Yoon was trying to focus on my story again with an awkward expression.
Think this is the end?
It's just the beginning, you bastard.
"My Heavens!!"
When it was time to use the begging technique again, I went straight to what's-his-name Yoon without fail.
"No! Why are you coming to me again? I just gave you some!"
"My travel funds ran out, so I came to the closest place!!! I no longer have the strength to walk forward!!"
I acted as if my legs were wobbling and I had no more strength to go on.
"Here you go!!"
What's-his-name Yoon again took money from his purse and tossed it into the bowl.
The money he threw were coins again. No sense at all. Do you think I'll stop if you keep giving me petty change like this?
"Ugh! With Heaven's help, I have gained the strength to stand! I shall advance just a bit further!"
I went around the people again, roughly gathering money.
"My Heavens!!!"
My easy mark!!
"Why do you keep coming to me!! I won't give you money!"
"Heavens! Are you refusing to help now?!"
"I said I won't give it!"
"Aaaaah! You truly will not help?!!"
"That's right. Get money from other people!"
What's-his-name Yoon pointed at the other spectators watching this scene. Of course, getting money from them is easy. But that's not the goal right now.
I'm going to fleece you dry.
"Ahh... Is that so."
I let my shoulders slump and collapsed onto the few steps leading up to the stage. Then, without speaking, I silently gazed at the sky.
"What! Why are you sitting? Aren't you going to tell the story?"
"Storyteller, what are you doing!"
"Are you angry at the guy who just said he won't give money?"
As I stopped the story, people started getting angry. If this continued, the arrows of anger would turn towards me.
I had to quickly redirect the people's anger towards what's-his-name Yoon.
"Even Heaven has abandoned me!!! I am a person unworthy of living!!!! To be refused even a small bit of help! I want to give up like this."
I shouted loudly towards the sky.
Folks! If that bastard doesn't pay, I won't perform.
"You bastard! Why won't you give him those few coins!"
"If you listened to the story, you should pay!"
"The person in the front row listening the best, why aren't you paying!"
The people began firing arrows of anger relentlessly at Sir Yoon.
"Alright! Stop cursing! Here are some coins. Take them."
Unable to withstand the barrage of criticism, what's-his-name Yoon held out coins to me.
"Heavens! I have gained the strength to live!! Now I shall go forward!"
After taking the money from what's-his-name Yoon, I roughly collected money from the side I hadn't gathered from before and went back up.
"I have slain the assassin sent by my uncle! However! I am wounded and require treatment!"
Look at this bastard. Using his head.
When I checked the spot to go down again, what's-his-name Yoon had moved his position from the very front row to a middle row. He probably thought being in the front row meant he'd keep getting fleeced.
You think I won't come to get money just because of that?
"Heavens!!"
I pushed through the people with my hands and stood before what's-his-name Yoon again.
"No! Why did you come looking for me when I moved back! You're coming to me on purpose, aren't you?"
"I am merely seeking Heaven's grace!!!"
"I can't give! I've given three times already!"
"Without Heaven's help, I cannot return!!!!"
"Hey! Pay up quickly! The story isn't progressing!"
"Just because you wear a sword, you don't have to pay?"
"A person who earns money well, can they be that stingy?"
"Ughhh"
What's-his-name Yoon, perhaps fearing a situation of being criticized like before, his face flushed bright red as he quickly pulled money from his purse and threw it.
Huh?
Huh huh?
The coins thrown into the bowl weren't the usual color I see.
"Waaah! Sir Yoon of the Changgeom Sect gave silver!"
"The storyteller's luck is good today! I'm jealous!"
"The story is interesting, so there are spectators who give silver!"
Wow, he's really giving silver coins?
And not just one or two. I intended to fleece him, but I didn't expect him to give this much money.
Even if you work hard as a storyteller, you only get copper coins, not silver.
What what's-his-name Yoon just did was on the level of throwing a 50,000-won bill at a begging subway homeless person, grabbing whatever was in his wallet.
This situation calls for a thankful donation reaction.
Did he really give silver because my story was interesting? I looked at Sir Yoon with a joyful smile.
"Ah, no. That's not what I meant to give."
What's-his-name Yoon was visibly flustered at a glance. His eyes wide and mouth agape, he reached his hand toward the silver coins that had already disappeared into the bowl.
"Tsk."
I swiftly pulled the bowl into my embrace.
"No! I gave the wrong thing! Hand it over quickly!"
Does this bastard not know the saying 'no return for what's left'?
The excited what's-his-name Yoon looked ready to grab me by the collar to snatch the money back.
Did he really give it by mistake?
Then I should return it.
I have that much decency.
"Heavens!! Ahh! Heavens! Are you trying to take the money of an unfortunate youth like me who lost his father?!! Aaaaaah! Heavens! Very well!! Take it!!!"
I shouted loudly enough for all the spectators surrounding me to hear.
"Ah, no. Just take the money I gave and I'll give you change."
Even after I threatened like that, what's-his-name Yoon reached his hand toward the bowl in my embrace.
Wow. Look at that audacity.
He's different from a shy man like me who can't even complain when a salon noona cuts my hair weirdly.
Then I'll make you even more embarrassed.
"If Heaven wishes to take my fortune!! Then just take all this travel money!! Take it all!!! I shall simply die here!!!"
Without caring if my clothes got dirty, I lay down flat on the dirt ground. And I placed the money bowl on my chest.
If you want to take it, try taking it.
"Yo-you-you! Don't you know 'no return for what's left'!"
"If you gave it, you gave it! Why are you trying to take back what you gave!!"
"The story is interesting, why are you stopping it!!"
"If the story ends like this, will Sir Yoon take responsibility?"
As I lay flat on the ground with no intention of getting up, people started cursing what's-his-name Yoon again. As the people's criticism grew more intense, what's-his-name Yoon gritted his teeth, bearing his anger.
Can you take it?
If you take it, I'm going straight back to the inn.
You deal with the aftermath.
"Fine! Take it! If you come near me again, I absolutely won't give you anything!"
In the end, what's-his-name Yoon gave up.
"Heavens!! I shall spread Heaven's help widely across three, even four generations!! Thank you!!"
I got up from the spot and brushed the dust off my clothes.
"Hey! Storyteller, take this money too!"
"I'll give a little too!"
Among the spectators, a few who hadn't given me a single coin yet tried to take money from their own purses to throw to me.
I gestured to stop that action.
"Please keep it! Heaven's help overflows! I shall rush to the scene now!"
"A storyteller who refuses even offered money! His character is truly upright!"
"Wow! The story is interesting and he has a conscience too!"
"Grrrrrugh!"
Watching that scene, what's-his-name Yoon let out a groan, but no one paid him any mind.
"Please keep it! Grace overflows!"
I deliberately raised the money bowl high so the spectators couldn't throw money and returned to the stage.
Wow. With this much money, I've already far exceeded a day's wages.
What's-his-name Yoon. With a donation of this level, I'll promote you to Sir Yoon now.
I looked toward Sir Yoon with a beaming smile. Sir Yoon was glaring at me with an angry gaze, his teeth clenched.
Are you angry?
So what are you going to do?
Hey. Sir Yoon.
I have no intention of forgiving the bastard who stabbed my heart with just this.
Right on to the next operation.