Chapter 35: The Crisis Of The Man With Black Hair (4)

Chapter 35: The Crisis Of The Man With Black Hair (4)

The banquet hall buzzed with artists invited by the Gapsu Trading Company.

The liquor is flowing. So good!

Brother, drink up quickly.

Were out of side dishes here.~!

There, the invited artists had gathered, engaging in a drinking spree. Of course, I was among them.

Showing off skills to others and earning money from it was important for seasonal business. Performing daily in front of the public to earn a steady income didnt bring in substantial earnings.

Artists showcased their skills in the marketplace, hoping to be invited to rich households.

Selling stories in the marketplace was like busking, whereas storytelling at a sixtieth birthday party was akin to a small theater performance in Hongdae.

Being invited to a rich household meant being recognized as a bona fide artist.

That day, I had made what could be considered my official stage debut in the Central Plains.

A good performance on the official stage would attract other clients.

I hoped someone else might seek me out after that days impressive showing.

With a light heart, I began my meal.

Where are you from, Brother Storyteller? You dont seem like a Central Plains native.

A well-built man from the acrobatics troupe spoke to me.

Im from Joseon.

Joseon? A newbie in our troupe is from Joseon. Do you know Okbun?

No, thats a new name to me.

If I knew everyone from my country, Id be best friends with all the pro gamers and athletes I support.

Its strange not to know each other, being from the same place. Hey! Wheres Okbun?

She stepped out for a moment!

Really? Ill introduce you when I get the chance.

It would be nice to meet someone from home after so long.

Maybe I should ask if she had some kimchi. Ramen would be great, too.

Ill introduce you when theres a chance. By the way, Brother Storyteller, youve been famous in Chilgok County lately. Hows business here? We came here on an invitation from another place.

The locals arent too bad.

Except for those who tried to exploit their generosity.

Thats good. Last time we went somewhere, even though people clapped for fun, they wouldnt drop a single coin in our money box.

It must be sad to have such a tough experience.

If our whole troupe goes hungry, its a real downer. Know what it feels like to starve together?

Ive only ever starved alone.

I remembered starving in a mountain cave. The sounds of hungry beasts werent scary; I wished they would come so that at least one of us could survive.

Its dreadful. I have to feed all these guys, and sometimes I think I should do something. If I were really bad, I could have turned to robbery. Youre alone, so you must manage to get by.

I managed to put food on the table.

There was no point in unloading my story of surviving as a foreigner in the Central Plains on a stranger. I deflected casually.

If you earn your keep by talking, youd better manage that much.

A man sitting nearby, his face red from drinking, looked at me with disapproval.

This guy. Are you looking to start trouble again after drinking? Drink moderately.

The well-built man scolded the drunk.

No. We practice every day and perform acrobatics to survive. It must be nice for a foreigner to just run his mouth. Did I say something wrong? *burp*

The well-built man glanced at me, worried I might react to his colleagues insensitivity. I wasnt going to fight over that.

Haha. What do you do, sir?

Me? I do pole acrobatics. Can you do that?This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

A skill involving climbing and performing acrobatics on a pole. He was definitely talented.

Thats incredible. Id be too scared to even attempt that.

Do you think Im crazy for doing it?

The drunks silver coin was now in my hand. Keeping the money of those you dislike is an essential part of money magic.

Kid, dont bother looking for the silver coin in the morning. Im taking it instead of a punch.

Okbun! Where have you been?

Just stepped out for a bit.

An unfamiliar voice came from inside the banquet hall. Perhaps the Joseon person Id heard about had returned. I was near the door; how had I missed them? We must have just missed each other.

Joseon people in Hubei Province, huh? They were common in Yodong Castle and coastal cities but rare inland.

I wondered if there was something like a Joseon community association in Hubei Province.

You! I told you not to be short with your words! As a newcomer, leaving your post without telling your superiors! Do you even think?

Inside, it seemed they were disciplining a new member.

A Joseon person in Chilgok County. I was curious to meet them, but the atmosphere didnt seem right. It was better to head back to my lodging.

Such a starry night.

On my way to the lodging, looking up at the sky, countless stars twinkled. There must be more women in the Central Plains than there were stars.

One of those stars must be the true heroine.

The gap between me and the true heroine was as vast as the sky. But there was no need to be too gloomy. There was always a way.

It was easy to get lost in emotions and sink into endless gloom.

No, I shouldnt do that anymore.

I couldnt be sure if I would continue to have such luck, but I planned to keep earning money through storytelling.

Just being a storyteller could build fame and wealth. My current job itself was a step towards winning over the true heroine.

Rushing to write The Tale of Martial Heroes had been too hasty. I should save money and write a book. If one didnt work, Id write several. One of them would surely succeed. Then, I could become famous again.

Cheer up, Kang Yun-ho!

I wonder who the true heroine is.

When one became positive, clues for the conquest started to emerge.

I thought about the many female characters. If it wasnt the princess or Moyong Sang-ah, who could it be? There were many suspects. Lets start by eliminating the definite non-candidates.

It cant be that crazy woman.

The character who taught me in the game that Joseon people have black hair.

The murder-obsessed woman.

It couldnt be her.

The head of the trading company has been assassinated!!!

Theres an assassin among the acrobatics troupe members!

There goes the assassin! Catch them!

Loud noises and bright lights came from afar.

Who had died? A premium member?

No! I had been about to ask them to subscribe regularly.

As I turned toward the light in the distance, a figure suddenly passed by me.

Huh?

What?

Whoa?

Black bobbed hair with red eyes?

Cheon Sohee?

She was one of the few people in this world whose name I knew. Surprised to see her unexpectedly, I called out her name.

Reacting to my unthinkingly uttered words, the fleeing figure stopped and turned around.

As we turned, our eyes met.

In the blink of an eye, her knife was already pointed at my throat.

You. Who are you? How do you know my name?

Oh.

I was in trouble.