Martial artists sometimes find themselves in life-threatening situations.
Imagine a martial artist surrounded by the Black Knife organization or facing death at the hands of a faction’s master. What’s the best way to escape this crisis?
Well, easily drawing your sword and splitting your opponent into 17 pieces or using the Walking in the Air Technique to flee into the sky would be ideal. However, those who can pull that off wouldn’t even consider such scenarios as crises!
So, what should a martial artist do in such situations?
One martial artist found himself surrounded by followers and on the brink of death.
He revealed himself like this:
“I am Jeong-gal Namgung Jin-gi!”
“This guy must be crazy. If he’s Jeong-gal, he’s Jeong-gal, and if he’s Namgung, he’s Namgung! What kind of nonsense surname is Jeong-gal Namgung?”
“My father is from the Jeong-gal family, and my mother is from the Namgung family. I use this name to honor my parents’ grace.”
“Ugh. I could handle just the Jeong-gal family, but to think! You have a Namgung mother too. If this guy is touched, I’ll be in trouble! Everyone, let’s back off!”
Thus, the martial artist easily escaped from the crisis by revealing his surname.
In martial arts, the way to escape death is to reveal one’s affiliations.
Affiliations can range from sects, factions, guilds, families, and others. Introducing oneself before a fight or calling out a name even in the heat of battle falls under this revealing of affiliations.
If the opponent hears the name and thinks they can handle it, they’ll strike; conversely, if a passerby believes they can help, they might step in to assist.
That’s how significant affiliations are in the martial world.
If a person from the martial arts world has no affiliation and is weaker than them, there’s nothing to hesitate about. If killing them has no consequences, why hold back? Even street hoodlums form teams and create groups for that reason.
I, however, have no affiliation, no hometown, and no family in this martial arts world, so I’m just a barbarian with no consequences.
Even in the days when I worried about my next meal, many would pick fights with me just because I was a barbarian, but nowadays I’m making money as a storyteller.
Now I must look like a treasure goblin or a walking portable wallet to them.
I can take down street punks with the Tonae Technique, but what if guys from the Cheon Sal-pa show up? Should I leave Chilgok County?
While I’m afraid of Cheon Sal-pa, it’s not guaranteed that there aren’t worse folks elsewhere.
Lost in such worries, the Heavenly Killing Star made a surprising proposal.
“I will become your bodyguard.”
Is this because of Kang Yoon-ho’s feelings while missing Cheon So-hee last night? The Heavenly Killing Star made a proposal that can only be interpreted as sincere.
How charming!
If anyone other than the Heavenly Killing Star said that!
“So-hee, I appreciate your kindness, but I must decline.”
I immediately refused.
“Why?”
“I don’t want to see you swinging a sword, So-hee.”
If you go crazy seeing blood, who will clean up afterward?
And who do you think would end up losing their head and body first if you went insane while being my bodyguard?
Having a bomb like the Heavenly Killing Star next to me is terrifying; hiring her as my bodyguard would be like handing the detonator to anyone!
“Do you dislike killing people?”
The Heavenly Killing Star asked back, placing her hand on her heavy bosom.
“I dislike So-hee getting blood on her hands because of me. I’ll gratefully accept only your feelings for So-hee’s older brother.”
Brother is out working, so Heavenly Killing Star, just stay home!
No, just get out of the house!
“……”
The corners of the Heavenly Killing Star’s mouth subtly lifted.
What? Are you laughing at me?
“If you understood, older brother should go work…”
“I won’t kill anyone. I’m good at the art of the sword. Even if the situation calls for drawing my sword, I won’t kill.”
The Heavenly Killing Star offered a compromise.
No, just go back to being an assassin, please! Why do you want to stay next to me?
“Really, you won’t kill anyone?”
“Yep.”
The Heavenly Killing Star drawing her sword and not killing anyone is beyond my imagination. If she insists she will, isn’t that impossible? I can’t just say no either.
If I outright reject even the compromise, she might get offended. In such cases, I should show my skill as a master of negotiation.
“Then there’s no reason to refuse. So-hee, will you be my bodyguard?”
“I have a condition.”
“A condition?”
“An assassin cannot work for free. You need to pay me.”
“How much should I pay?”
Why is she suddenly stating conditions when she offered to help?
Being a storyteller is similar to streaming. Just because a stream is interesting doesn’t mean all viewers pay. The same goes for storytelling.
In reality, only a limited number actually pay, and demanding too much money leads to public backlash.
To live comfortably with three meals and a roof over my head, I have to tread the proper line.
How much should I pay?
I can manage the cost of about two meals. I’ve survived on a single bun and salt before, so if I cut down considerably, I could afford three meals.
If she demands too much, I’ll say she’s a cold-hearted sister toward her older brother and haggle.
“A day’s worth of three cup noodles.”
“Huh?”
For a moment, I thought I misheard.
“… I said three cup noodles.”
The Heavenly Killing Star replied shyly, looking somewhere else rather than at my face.
Hiring the Heavenly Killing Star as my bodyguard for three cup noodles?
Did she secretly plan this proposal by swiping my money?
Well, I’m not going to perform daily at the Gap-su Hall, so how much can I earn each day?
It seems like the Heavenly Killing Star called for a price considering my earnings.
“Haha. So-hee.”
I practically melted in gratefulness as I spoke.
“Yeah?”
“Let’s do one serving of tteokbokki instead of three cup noodles.”
“……”
The Heavenly Killing Star looked at me incredulously, as if to say, “What kind of guy is this?” but I had no intention of backing down.
One serving of tteokbokki is cheaper than three cup noodles, after all.
Please give me a discount!
—————-
Eventually, after some intense diplomatic negotiations, we reached a dramatic agreement: one serving of tteokbokki during normal times and extra fried food if things go well, and left the tavern.
“Mr. Wang! Hello!”
Dressed in storyteller clothes, I visited Mr. Wang’s shop.
“You’re here! Good morning. Who’s this person beside you?”
Mr. Wang welcomed me cheerfully, probably since it was early and he didn’t have much business.
“This is the person I just hired.”
“Hired? Are you doing that well these days?”
Mr. Wang asked me with a look of surprise. I guess a bodyguard can’t be hired for just a handful of coins.
I had made a rather significant expense.
“There’s no way I’m doing that well. I’m from Joseon, after all. By chance, I ran into someone from my hometown and thanks to that, I can rely on them for now.”
“A person from your hometown? I couldn’t recognize you because of the hat, but now that I see, you have black hair. You’re a Joseon person.”
“Yep.”
“Yep?”
Mr. Wang’s face immediately darkened.
“Haha. I thought this young fellow was a martial artist with a powerful background because he spoke so briefly.”
There is indeed such a thing; even the mightiest masters can end up as nothing against an assassin who strikes wrongfully.
“I speak the martial world’s language excellently. This friend agreed to guard me, and later, when I wander the Central Plains, they’re willing to help.”
“Aha. So that’s how it is. You’re weak and struggling, and this friend is having a hard time speaking, so you decided to join forces!”
“Yes. We teamed up for that reason and decided to travel together for a while.”
“Yeah. It’s good to see friends from hometowns. I’ve heard rumors about Joseon people helping each other in the Central Plains, but there’s none in Chilgok County. It’s nice to see you helping each other. By the way, what’s the matter here?”
I wanted to bring up the business, but Mr. Wang asked first, so it’s moving along smoothly.
“I’m planning to start working as a storyteller again from today.”
“That’s great! I heard the first customer was asking when you’d return.”
“So, maybe after lunchtime, could you spread the word that I’ll be performing at the open space?”
“Such a thing is easy. I’ll quickly spread the word.”
“Thank you!”
“Now I won’t be hearing that nasty question about where that storyteller is anymore.”
Mr. Wang looked at me, obviously relieved.
“Haha. I’ll work hard until people are bored of me!”
“Sure. Do well!”
After once more thanking him for spreading the word, I bowed deeply to Mr. Wang and left the shop.
——————————–
A little past lunchtime, I arrived at the open space where I had performed as a storyteller after quite some time.
“Look who’s coming!”
“It’s so hard to see the face of the storyteller!”
“I heard Lim Gap-su died laughing at his story!”
“Hey, you! Even so, should you say that about the dead? I’ve heard he died from laughter.”
“Was the assassin’s story false?”
“He died while playing on the bed, so it must be a humorous death nonetheless.”
“Ha-ha. That’s true!”
I asked Mr. Wang to spread the word, but I didn’t expect this many people would show up.
I thought there wouldn’t be many people since it had been a while, yet there were crowds everywhere. Mr. Wang must be quite the social butterfly.
“There’s a barbarian I’ve never seen before.”
“Is it a man? A woman?”
“He’s wearing a sword. Is he a martial artist?”
As I appeared alongside the Heavenly Killing Star, people began speculating about her. The Heavenly Killing Star was wearing a hat and men’s clothing, making it hard to determine her gender.
“So-hee, if any issues arise, I may need your help. For now, just try to stay out of sight.”
I quietly instructed her next to me. The Heavenly Killing Star didn’t need to draw attention to herself.
“Okay.”
As soon as she said that, the Heavenly Killing Star disappeared into the crowd.
I then climbed onto the platform alone.
There are so many people. This seems to be the largest audience I’ve had for storytelling in the marketplace. I guess working well in the Gap-su Hall really spread the word!
Where did the Heavenly Killing Star go?
I scanned the audience. No matter how much I looked, I couldn’t see the Heavenly Killing Star. I thought I could find her by simply looking for the hat, but she’s nowhere to be seen. Is this her concealment technique? Fascinating.
“Start now! We need to get to work!”
“Tell us about the Hamurin Prince!”
“Barbarian! If you say something else, you’ll get hit with rotten food!”
“Hamurin! Hamurin!”
“Why the delay? Are you joking about money from the get-go?”
As I stood on the platform waiting, the audience urged me to start immediately.
This is quite the madness. It’s as if they are demanding I start before climbing the platform!
I took a deep breath and announced loudly enough for the audience to hear, “Greetings! I’m Kang Mo, the storyteller from Joseon! Today! For those who have been waiting, I will tell the story of the Hamurin Prince.”
Snap! I dramatically fanned out my fan, signaling the start of the performance.
“That fan looks stylish.”
“Kang Mo! Kang Mo! But is the name really Kang Mo? Do barbarians have names like that?”
“I don’t need introductions! Just get on with the story!”
While I was about to start, the audience’s excitement rose even higher.
They should be quiet if they want me to start.
I folded the fan again and maintained a 45-degree bow. As I remained bowing, the audience gradually began to quiet down.
Is it time to begin the story?
Just as I was about to begin, I heard a commotion right in front of the platform.
“Let me through!”
Someone began pushing through the crowd toward the front.
“No way! I’ve been waiting here so long, and you’re trying to take my spot!”
“Come on. Let’s watch together.”
“Which bastard is trying to cut in line?”
“Let’s concentrate on the story! Which bastard are you?”
Who’s the impudent person trying to get ahead?
‘Huh? Why is that guy here?’
The person who pushed his way to the front was someone I absolutely didn’t expect.
“Isn’t that Yoon Dae-hyeop from the Sword and Spear Sect? Please take the front seat.”
“Thank you.”
Yoon Dae-hyeop.
He was the martial artist from Sword and Spear Sect who I encountered when I was desperately fleeing from the Cheon Sal-pa.
Back then, I had asked for help, hoping he would extend his kindness, but all I received was laughter.
“Why would I wield a sword for the pitiful coins of a mere barbarian?”
Even when I begged to pay him for help, he coldly refused, saying he wouldn’t take a barbarian’s money.
Suddenly, memories of being dragged away by the Cheon Sal-pa and his chilling expression flooded back.
A wound to my heart throbbed painfully.
Did you want to hear my story, too, you who looked down on me?
In that instant, a brilliant idea flickered in my mind.
Yes! Using that method would be so much fun.
Yoon Dae-hyeop, today is your day to regret it!
