Chapter 69
Translator: uly
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Chilgok-hyeon's Safe House - 5
The Cheongsa Sect massacre incident.
Personally, I'd rather call it justice served, but it seems that in Chilgok-hyeon, it's referred to as such.
In a world where human life is treated like that of flies, the brutal killing of thirty black-clad bandits could indeed be called a massacre.
Even if the Cheongsa Sect bastards were troublesome, their complete slaughter must have been a major incident in Chilgok-hyeon, where such events are rare.
Someone must have stepped forward to assess the situation and determine the cause.
If, during the investigation, it was discovered that they were killed by a black-haired female master, naturally, I, who was traveling with her, would be mentioned as well.
Moreover, if the investigator actively deduces, they could link the black-haired master to the recent Gapsu Merchant Group murder case, and if that happens, So-hee and I would have to flee Chilgok-hyeon.
"There's good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?"
"I'd like to hear the bad news first."
In such cases, bad news is the standard.
"I tried to quickly cover up the incident, but it failed. I mean, if there were just bodies, we could handle it, but there were chunks of flesh flying everywhere."
The middle-aged man looked at So-hee with a reproachful gaze.
Just how much did you mutilate them?
Well done, So-hee.
"So, the incident is known?"
"It's widely known. From the Changgeom Sect that manages the marketplace to other minor sects near Chilgok-hyeon, they all came to the scene and made a huge fuss about finding the culprit."
With that many people, wouldn't it have been better to eliminate the Cheongsa Sect beforehand rather than search for the culprit?
"That must have been a big deal."
"It was a big deal. Because they were killed so brutally, all sorts of bizarre speculations emerged, like a demonic person appearing or the leader of an evil sect hiding in Chilgok-hyeon. Really, you should have shown some restraint."
For a moment, I was speechless.
"It was rather insufficient."
So-hee said with a defiant attitude in response to the man's protest.
"Even though you two, who suddenly disappeared during the investigation, were mentioned?"
"Really?"
My heart suddenly sank.
Could there be a warrant issued for our arrest? Once I recover and learn some martial arts, should I flee in the middle of the night?
What happens if we're caught? Would it be okay if we leave Hubei Province? The black-haired storyteller is too conspicuous. This might mean I can never work as a black-haired storyteller again.
As I was lost in thought, the middle-aged man spoke again.
"Aren't you going to ask about the good news?"
The middle-aged man asked us with a slight smile on his lips.
"What's the good news?"
"Seeing that covering up the scene seemed impossible, I quickly gave up and shifted to covering up the culprit. I had the witnesses who saw the scene give false testimonies through appropriate threats."
"What testimonies?"
I asked, deliberately not thinking about how severe the Salmaek's "appropriate threats" might be.
"That they fought among themselves due to money issues."
"Did that work?"
Even if they fought over money, wouldn't people think they were brutally murdered?
"It worked. Fortunately, aside from the Cheongsa Sect, there were no other victims, so such testimony was plausible. Moreover, if there's a murderer who can easily slaughter thirty black-clad bandits, the sects in Chilgok-hyeon wouldn't be able to handle it, so that's the conclusion they reached."
So, they chose a convenient false truth because continuing the investigation could lead to significant losses.
"Then what about our suspicion?"
Of course, even if that's the general thought, someone might suspect us.
"I had my subordinates disguise you two as Joseon people who were beaten by the Cheongsa Sect and are hospitalized with bandages wrapped all over. You shouldn't be suspected."
"Thank you."
Is the man in front a high-ranking member of the Salmaek? To go to such lengths.
I bowed my head at a 90-degree angle to show gratitude, then glanced at So-hee to see why she wasn't expressing thanks, but she remained unmoved.
Is it because it's Salmaek business?
Seeing that the middle-aged man had nothing more to say, So-hee took me and started practicing the Okmyeon Hoseongong again.
So-hee made me practice Okmyeon Hoseongong whether the man watched or not.
Is it okay to practice martial arts in front of Salmaek people?
If it's Salmaek martial arts, she might be in danger, but So-hee didn't seem too concerned.
The Salmaek man also observed intently with a serious face, wondering what martial art was being taught, then smiled and leisurely watched my training.
As So-hee said, it probably isn't Salmaek martial arts being taught.
"I wondered what you were teaching, but it's the Baby Treasure Art."
The middle-aged man said to me, who was resting after absorbing all the medicine applied to my body, while drinking tea from who knows where.
"Baby Treasure Art?"
It's not the "bo-bo" used in game reviews. What is he talking about?
"Do you know you're applying silver to your body right now?"
"Silver? As in the silver from gold, silver, and copper?"
While the currency units are gold, silver, and copper, when referring to them separately, people here normally say silver.
"This guy. He doesn't even know how lucky he is to receive such training."
"Training. Don't interfere."
As the man tried to inform me of something with a sly face, So-hee stopped him.
"Tsk tsk. Since she can't gild her own face, she couldn't tell the truth. The medicine you're applying is worth the same weight in silver."
"Is that true, So-hee?"
"..."
When I looked at So-hee in surprise, she avoided my gaze, which meant yes.
The medicine I apply every day costs the same as silver by weight?
"You don't have to undergo harsh training that could damage your muscles and bones like typical external martial arts, and your skin doesn't become rough or injured. Just apply the medicine and absorb it, and you get an external art that can block swords. Haven't you ever thought this martial art is absurd?"
Well, since it's a world without basis, I naturally assumed such martial arts existed.
When I looked at him with puzzled eyes, the man sighed briefly and continued.
"Applying treasure to one's treasure. That's why the martial art's nickname is Baby Treasure Art. It costs a fortune, so it's never used to train ordinary martial artists. But she's teaching it to you. What does that mean?"
The middle-aged man wiggled his eyebrows slyly as he looked at So-hee.
"Because Yun-ho got hurt due to my mistake. That's why I'm teaching him."
So-hee cut off the man's words sharply.
"Hmm. For that, you came to me and said you'd spend all the money saved from mission fees on the battlefield, please..."
"You. Talk too much."
So-hee drew her sword to interrupt the man.
"Hahaha! I'll be going now!"
The middle-aged man quickly poured the remaining tea on the floor and hastily left the house.
So-hee stared in the direction the middle-aged man disappeared for a while, then slumped her shoulders as if drained and muttered to me.
"... I just did it because I had no use for the money."
Once I recovered, I returned to my daily life as a storyteller.
"Ah! Heavens!! Without travel expenses, I cannot go!!!"
After recovering and coming for the first time in a while, I was worried no one would come to watch, but since Chilgok-hyeon has a high flow of people, I saw new audiences and familiar faces.
"Here! Take it! You must avenge my father!"
"In all my life, I've never seen someone so skilled at storytelling!"
"I'm tired of this story! This time, try seducing the stepmother! If you do, I'll give you money!"
"Such an act that violates heavenly principles is something this Ha Murin cannot do!"
I can't change the story just because of sponsors' whims. If a writer only writes based on high-paying sponsors' support, it could draw complaints from other readers.
"How about 1 silver?"
"Ugh! The heavens' will plunges me into dilemma!!!"
"20 copper more, so 1 silver and 20 copper!"
"I'll give 1 silver too!"
"We'll pool our copper, so make it a bit risqué this time!"
"Here's more too! I come every day, but today's a bit boring! Do something different!"
Suddenly, the audience collectively raised their voices.
"Ha Murin does not violate heavenly principles!! But! The will of heaven is the heavenly principle. If the will of heaven is such, then instead of killing the stepmother, I will do something even more drastic!!!"
If the majority opinion is so. I am absolutely not swayed by money but moved by public opinion.
"Wahahaha!"
"The storyteller is witty!"
"That's why he's the most famous in the marketplace these days!"
"Ugh! I've tied up the stepmother. Am I allowed to do such a thing that goes against heavenly principles? Ah! Heavens, please make a decision!!"
After progressing to the part the audience wanted, I quickly took my bowl and moved through the crowd again.
"Take it!"
"Let's hurry! Quickly!"
Today's a complete jackpot.
"Yun-ho. What are you thinking about?"
When I was sitting with food in front of me, unable to even think of picking up my utensils, So-hee asked.
"It's because of the storyteller work, isn't it?"
"It's going well, though."
"The income is like that."
The problem is that the audience is decreasing.
For a few days, people flocked because of the risqué stories, but it was only for a few days.
Since I've gotten the hang of storytelling, the income hasn't dropped significantly, but the fact that the audience is gradually shrinking is a clear warning sign.
Now, the story of Ha Murin is slowly coming to an end.
Chilgok-hyeon has a high flow of people, but new customers don't increase indefinitely. Moreover, I'm not in a position to write books to earn money yet, and to go to a new county, I need to practice martial arts more in this house.
A new breakthrough is needed.
"We have to eat and train. Eat quickly."
So-hee picked up a piece of meat side dish and placed it on top of my rice.
So-hee's been oddly kind lately.
Since I was beaten by the Cheongsa Sect, So-hee's attitude seems to have noticeably changed.
"Right. Let's eat."
It's not immediately urgent, and I have to train after eating, but I need to think.
A story that can empty Chilgok-hyeon's pockets as much as Ha Murin's.
A new story for the storyteller is needed.