Chapter 72: Invitation (2)

Chapter 72: Invitation (2)

The story with the most homages among classic romances.

To briefly summarize the story, two young individuals from enemy families fall in love. Complications arise, and Juliet plans to fake her death to elope with Romeo.

However, Romeo, unaware of this plan, commits suicide in front of the pretending-to-be-dead Juliet. Upon witnessing this, Juliet also takes her own life. Shocked by these events, the two families reconcile. Its a tragic tale for the protagonists, but ironically, it ends in comedy due to the reconciliation of the families.

Pity as an expert in faking death and escaping.

Faking death and escaping demands meticulous planning.

If one is to fake their death, they should start with a buildup and prepare various safety measures. A half-baked attempt led to tragedy, didnt it?

After all, the protagonists of Romeo and Juliet were just teenagers, perhaps explaining why their plan was poorly executed.

I chose this story because of its tragic ending.

Its a regrettable tale for an expert in faking death, but I chose this story because of its conclusion.

Romeo and Juliet was so renowned that even those unfamiliar with the story were aware of its ending.

As long as the tragic ending was preserved, any story could fill the rest, and characters could be minimized and performed.

Truly, its the optimal story for a neighborhood storyteller.

Ro! Mi-o! Ro! Mi-o! Still unsatisfied?

With a booming voice, I began the story by calling out the protagonist Ro Mi-o, not Romeo, twice.

To start, Romeos friend is introduced for a simple setting explanation.

Should be practicing martial arts every day. Dragging me to a feast like this.

Its not just any feast. Its a once-a-year event where men and women can dance and have fun. Why are you so dissatisfied?

Wouldnt those from the Ro family and that detestable family also be here?

Its a banquet. Even if theyre sworn enemies, would they draw swords at a feast?

I played the role of the good-natured friend trying to appease the grumpy one.

Whenever such lines come up, they always draw swords.

Is it a story of two families fighting and bickering?

Martial arts stories are too brutal, arent they?

The audience, provided with basic information about the new story, began to murmur and show curiosity about what was unfolding.

This was a good start for immersion.

They say Miss Ju, the most beautiful in Joseon, will be here. Lets at least see her face.

Not interested Really, is she that pretty?

I acted hastily, lowering my fan and tiptoeing around to get a look.

Ha ha! Thought you were serious, but youre just a regular young man.

But, that storyteller. Does he also do female roles?

Yep. Hes good at it. He did a great job playing the evil stepmother as Prince Hamurin. But this time its different.

I quickly descended from the stage.

Hey! What if you come down too early!

Hey! Hey! The story has barely started, and youre already trying to use some underhanded tactics!

Just wait a little.

I went to where the female audience was gathered and spoke to a beautiful young lady.

Are you perhaps Miss Ju?

What?

The lady I approached was startled, her mouth agape, tilting her head sideways.

Such beauty. Are you the legendary Miss Ju Ive heard about?

Ah, thats

Darn, I blew it. Next person.

Youre not her. Are you perhaps Miss Ju?

I quickly switched to the next person.

Yes. I am Miss Ju!

Another quick-witted lady volunteered with a bold smile.

May I know the name of such beauty?

Keke. Of course! Im Soso!

Ju Soso! Such a beautiful name.

Indeed, its a name that fit anywhere.

Expensive-looking jewelry, silk clothes, an appearance without a wrinkle. She seemed like a lady raised without hardships, with a lively personality.

Thanks to her, she handled this sudden situation amusingly.

After expressing my gratitude to her, I went back up on the stage without taking a penny. Then, pretending to dance for a moment, I shouted loudly to the people.

Ah! We have fallen in love!

Romeo fell in love, but it seemed like a great tragedy. He knelt down, agonizing.

Why is he acting like that just for falling in love?

Oh, look how romantic.

Even if theyre from enemy families, they can love each other so desperately.

Look at that! Despite her fathers care, shes totally fallen for another man!

Hey! Did you forget when you begged me to marry you because your father arranged someone else for you?

No. Thats one thing, this is another!

A man should at least have the courage to sneak in! Crying out loud on the street when I said I was engaged.

Honey. We agreed not to bring that up.

It seems like a similar marriage story happened to someone here.

The couple, deciding on their fateful love, went to a temple to have a secret wedding through the head monk.

But heres where trouble has to arise.

Big trouble!

Ah! Heavens! For my beloved! I wish to adorn her with beautiful jewelry and clothes!

I shouted to the heavens as a young man in love but lamenting his poverty.

You have a lot of money at home!

Someone quickly caught on and tackled the statement. No. Was that my money? Its the Ro familys money.

Ah! Heavens! She and I will abandon the Ro and Ju families and leave far away! As an unfilial son, I cannot extend my hand to my parents!

Then quickly descended from the stage with the basin in hand.

Heavens! Please be witnesses to this secret wedding today! Be our guests! Bless this man and woman in love!!

Dear guests. Youre now at the wedding venue. Hurry up and give your wedding gifts!

Here, take this! First time giving money to a storyteller as a wedding gift.

This storytellers tactics are ingenious! Here, take it!

Soso! You must be happy! Heres a wedding gift!

Im not married yet! Ill give some too!

Perhaps because the female audience was so immersed, they actively threw money, and the basin for wedding gifts began to fill up.

At this rate, I almost wanted to say, Go eat noodles or something with this.

The performance ended successfully.

The Ju and Ro families will reconcile and achieve peace through the deaths of these two young people!

The two families reconcile over the bodies of the tragically deceased couple. With the audience deeply moved, some were wiping tears from their eyes with their sleeves.

Uhhuhu. Its so so sad!

Why did the two have to die! They shouldve just loved each other!

Although it was the first performance, my body, trained in martial arts, didnt tire, and the acting went smoothly.

Well done!

Well come again next time!

Indeed, a Joseon storyteller tells the story best!

Im so sad, my legs wont move. Help me up.

Prince Romeo should just forget someone like Soso and remarry.

Soso. You were so pitiful.

Yeah. Even I thought it was pit, pitiful.

Soso, are you crying? You were so immersed. Next time, Ill be Miss Ju.

Ne, next time, Ill do it again.

Unlike the previous performance as Prince Hamurin, this romance-focused ending elicited a much more passionate response from the female audience.

Such a success. No need to worry about new stories for a while.

Looking at the money in the basin, its a big hit after a long time.

Maybe I should take Sohee for her favorite food.

Are you the famous Joseon storyteller from Chilgok County?

As I came down from the stage and waited for Sohee, a man who seemed to have just become an adult approached me.

Yes, thats me. And you are?

Who is he?

Broad-shouldered and a glance at his hands suggests hes skilled in martial arts.

He had a manly face and wore fine clothes.

His posture and way of speaking didnt seem like hes from the underworld, not giving off a sense of delinquency.

None of the Changgeomun guys I saw before were like him. His identity was completely unknown.

I quickly looked for Sohee.

Whenever someone talked to me after a performance, something bad tended to happen.

Fortunately, Sohee, having learned from experience, was standing behind the man, adopting a cautious posture.

The man, oblivious to the potential consequences of approaching with malicious intent, introduced an unexpected topic.

Im from the Sung Family in Daehung County! Ive come to invite you to the Lord Sung Familys birthday celebration!