Chapter 69: Chilgok County's An Family (5)

Chapter 69: Chilgok County's An Family (5)

Cheongsapa Massacre Incident.

Id rather call it an enactment of justice than a massacre, but it seems thats how its being referred to in Chilgok County.

In a world where human life was as trivial as a flys, the brutal murder of thirty Black Path members could indeed be called a massacre.

Even if the Cheongsapa folks were troublemakers, their total annihilation was a significant incident in Chilgok County, where such events were rare.

Someone must have set out to understand and investigate the cause of this incident.

If, in the process, they discovered that these people were killed by a skilled female martial artist with black hair, naturally, both she and I, who traveled with her, would be mentioned.

If the investigator actively connected the dots, they might link the recent Gapsu Trading Company murder to the black-haired martial artist, and if so, Sohee and I would have to flee Chilgok County.

Theres good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?

Id prefer to hear the bad news first.

Thats the rule with bad news.

We tried to quickly cover up the incident but failed. Its easy to dispose of corpses, but chunks of flesh were scattered everywhere.

The middle-aged man looked at Sohee with a reproachful gaze.

How fiercely did she cut them?

Well done, Sohee.

So, the incident became public?

Very much so. From Changgeomun, who managed the marketplace, to various small factions around Chilgok County, many rushed to the scene to find the culprit. It was quite a scene.

With that many people, shouldnt they have preemptively eradicated the Cheongsapa?

It must have been serious.

Indeed, it was. The brutality of the killings led to bizarre speculations like the appearance of a demon or the leader of the evil faction hiding in Chilgok County. You should have been more restrained.

I was momentarily speechless.

Actually, it was insufficient.

Sohee responded defiantly to the mans complaint.

Even though you two suddenly disappeared during the investigation?

Is that true?

My heart sank.

Does this mean a warrant for our arrest? Should I escape in the middle of the night once I recover and master some martial arts?

What happens if I get caught? Was it safe to leave Hubei Province? The black-haired female assassin was too conspicuous. Did this mean I could never be near a black-haired assassin again?

Lost in thought, the middle-aged man spoke again.

Arent you going to ask about the good news?

He asked us, a slight smile on his lips.

Whats the good news?

Since concealing the scene seemed impossible, we quickly shifted to hiding the culprit. We threatened the witnesses to give false testimonies.

What kind of testimonies?

I asked without dwelling on the extent of the threats.

They claimed it was an internal conflict over money.

Did that work?

Its hard to believe that such a brutal murder was just over a money dispute.

It worked. Luckily, there were no victims other than the Cheongsapa, so such testimony was plausible. Plus, if theres a killer capable of easily massacring thirty Black Path, the factions of Chilgok County cant handle it, so they concluded it that way.

Choosing a fake truth they prefer rather than continuing an investigation that could lead to greater losses.nove(l)bi(n.)com

So, what about suspicion about us?

Even if thats the general belief, someone might still suspect us.

Worried that no one would come to see me after a long absence and recovery, I was relieved to see both new and familiar faces in populous Chilgok County.

Here, take this! You must avenge your father!

In my life, Ive never seen someone use tactics so well!

Im tired of the same story! Try seducing your stepmother this time! Ill give you money if you do!

I, as Prince Hamurin, cannot commit such a violation of heavenly principles!

I couldnt change the story just to please a patron. A writer who pandered to high-paying patrons might anger other readers.

How about 1 silver?

Ugh! The will of the heavens leads me into a dilemma!!!

Add 20 copper to make it 1 silver and 20 copper!

Ill give 1 silver too!

Weve pooled our coppers too, so make it more risqu this time!

Ill give more too! Its boring coming here every day. Make it different!

Suddenly, the audience began raising their voices in unison.

Hamurin does not defy heavenly principles!! But! The will of heaven is itself a heavenly principle. If heaven wills it, instead of killing my stepmother, Ill do something even more extreme!!!

If thats what the majority wanted. I was not swayed by money, but by public opinion.

Wowwwww!

The storyteller is witty!

No wonder hes the most famous in the marketplace these days!

Ugh! Ive tied up my stepmother. Is it permissible for me to do such a violation of heavenly principles? Oh heavens! Please make a decision!!

Having progressed the story as the audience desired, I quickly grabbed the basin and weaved through the crowd.

Take it!

Hurry up! Quick!

Today was a total jackpot.

Yun-ho. What are you thinking about?

Seeing me sitting in front of the food without picking up the chopsticks, Sohee asked.

Im concerned about my job as a storyteller.

Its going well, isnt it?

The income is, yes.

But the problem was the dwindling audience.

Though I drew crowds for a few days with risqu stories, it was only for a short time.

I had managed to keep the income steady by getting the hang of storytelling tactics, but the decreasing audience was a clear red flag.

The tale of Prince Hamurin was nearing its end.

Even though Chilgok County had a large floating population, new customers didnt keep increasing indefinitely. I was not in a position to write a book and earn money, and I needed to train more in martial arts before moving to a new county.

I need a new solution.

Eat up. We need to train after the meal.

Sohee picked up a piece of meat and placed it on my rice.

Shes been unusually kind lately.

Since I had been beaten up by the Cheongsapa, Sohees attitude seemed noticeably different.

Right. Lets eat.

It wasnt urgent right now, and I needed to train after eating, but I needed to think.

A story that could shake up the pockets of Chilgok County as much as Prince Hamurin did.

I needed a new tale for the storyteller.