Chapter 23: The Black-Haired Storyteller Of Chilgok County (2)

Chapter 23: The Black-Haired Storyteller Of Chilgok County (2)

To be, or not to be, that is the question.

The classic tragedy, Hamlet. Even those unfamiliar with the story likely recognized this line.

To briefly summarize Hamlet, the play centered around Hamlets uncle, who assassinated Hamlets father and then married Hamlets mother to claim the throne. Upon learning of this treachery from his fathers ghost, Hamlet sought revenge. Although he ultimately succeeded, he, too, met his demise in a twisted turn of events.

I intended to adapt this tale to my own style and create a solo performance to present before an audience.

To be, or not to be, that is the question.

The Moyong Familys Tonal Art maintained bodily health and even enhanced the voice. I started with a low tone to establish the atmosphere and ensure the first line resonated with the listeners. I began acting as if lost in deep contemplation.

My father has passed away, assassinated by a stranger. The headship of our Ha family did not pass to me but to my uncle.

From the outset, I present the protagonists conflict to captivate the audience.

Isnt that the story of the Sung family?

Its from Joseon; just listen.

Some audience members seemed to have caught on already, but it was not a major concern.

I examined my fathers body. It bore wounds that only someone with a level 5 or higher in Ha swordsmanship could have inflictedstrange. Only two people in our family have reached that level: my uncle and me.

With a voice and face brimming with suspicion, I communicated the protagonists doubts to the audience, folding the fan and mimicking a stabbing motion.

The fan proved to be a useful prop.

The uncle bastard must be the culprit.

If he knows, why doesnt he just kill him?

Why is he hesitating?

The audience was captivated by the intense beginning of the storya favorable reaction.

My uncle has no children. He publicly declared that after serving ten years as the family head, he would pass the title to me. If I avoid raising suspicion now, in ten years, the entire wealth and glory of the Ha family will be mine.

I acted as if I were walking on the ground scattered with all sorts of treasures, pondering, then looked up and continued.

But!! Then who will avenge our father, wandering in agony as a restless spirit! However, even if I claim that only my uncle could leave such wounds, no one would believe me. If I kill my uncle, I will be branded a patricide. And then, I too will die To be, or not to be. That is the question.

My tone was like making excuses to my father. Yet, my face bore deep contemplation.

Why not just wait 10 years and become rich?

Would you do that if your father was murdered? You must avenge him!

My father would want me to live richly, not die.

Good. The audience was beginning to understand the protagonists dilemma.

Now it was time to transition to the more sensational part of the story.

I should talk about this dilemma to my mother. Though she is my stepmother, she must have loved my father.

I turned my body to the opposite side of the audience, pretending to walk, then I unfolded the fan.

Covering the lower part of my face, I stuck my hips out slightly and imitated a womans voice.

Dear, how did you manage to kill my husband so secretly without anyone knowing?

Shh. What if someone hears you?

Snap! I folded the fan again and changed my expression, acting as another man, the uncle.

This was why I bought the Korean fan, the hapjukseon.

It was perfect to express that I was from Joseon, and it also served as a trademark for a storyteller.

Moreover, the fan could be used as a prop for acting, and opening or closing it signaled a change in character.

Truly a versatile tool.

Here, only my beloved Ga and this concubine are present.

My wife, do you know how much effort I put into gaining this Ha family for you?

Hehe. Thats why I worked hard to pass the Ha family to Ga instead of your unrelated child.

Thank you, my wife. My brother had more blessings than he deserved. To have the Ha family, and such a beautiful woman. Now both have found their true master.

So, I am to become Gas possession now?This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

Haha, of course. As soon as I send an assassin to kill that nephew of mine, I will officially welcome you as my wife.

I revealed the conspiracy between the two characters and glanced subtly at the audience.

Thank you. I will share stories from Joseon at this time every day.

Im looking forward to more stories from Joseon!

Such a youth brings a sense of tension to the relaxed Chilgok County!

As the satisfied audience members began to leave, I too gathered the money box and stepped down from the stage.

This was all the money I had earned.

To think I had been missing a few coins and had to survive on roots in the mountains.

The money in the bowl was all in bronze coins, but their weight indicated it was enough to exchange for silver coins.

No matter how skillfully one used the Yaoqianfa, people didnt usually spend silver coins just to listen to a story.

It was not about getting a large sum from a few people, but about collecting small amounts from many. Thats the essence of the Yaoqianfa.

I should ask Mr. Wang to exchange it for silver.

Carrying this much was burdensome.

And it was risky to leave it in my shanty house; it might get stolen. It was better to exchange it for larger denominations and carry it with me.

After exchanging the money with Mr. Wang, I headed back to my shanty house.

On the way, I encountered an old man I had never seen before, sitting with a stall set up. Behind him was a flag with the word Fortune-Telling written on it.

If he was fortune-telling, why was he here near the shantytown and not in the market area?

Hello. I havent seen you around here before.

The old man with a sage-like beard glanced at me and then gave no further reaction.

This grandfather didnt know how to do business. A proper response to a greeting should include a sales pitch.

Do you tell fortunes? Hows business today?

I had struck big today. Actually, I wanted to brag a bit, but Mr. Wang was too busy to chat.

If youre telling fortunes, you should be on a busy street, not near the shantytown.

Fortune-telling said I would meet a very important guest here today, but no one has come. Perhaps you, are you here for a fortune?

I dont know much about fortune-telling. But I guess I can be your first customer.

This grandfather was subtly good at business. I might not have been a valuable customer, but he seemed to have a sales spirit, so I obliged as his first client.

Sit on the chair in front of you. What would you like to know?

I did well in my first business today. I want to know if my life will continue to be successful.

For a month, I had been surviving on a loaf of bread, wondering if I should indulge in such luxury. But when good things happen, its okay to show a little kindness to someone else.

Alright. Lets see your birth chart. What is your date of birth and time?

My birthdate

Should I mention the birthdate of Kang Yun-ho, who would be born hundreds of years later, or that of the prodigal son Kang Yun-ho? Converting the former into the sexagenary cycle was too complicated.

I just went with the birthdate of the prodigal son Kang Yun-ho.

Hmm

The fortune-teller grandfather started fiddling with some strange tools in front of him. Oh, it was quite atmospheric. Was grandfather more serious than I thought?

Strange.

Suddenly, the grandfather looked at me again and then returned to his tools.

Hmm.

The grandfather tapped his forehead with his finger, showing a thoughtful expression

What was he doing? Calculating the fee? If he asked for too much, I might just flip the table and run away. Grandfather.

You.

The grandfather then looked at me seriously.

Yes?

Whats up?

Why is a dead person walking among the living?

What?