Yoon Dae-hyeop accidentally gave me a silver coin, but it’s not enough money to change my fate.
It’s precious enough that I wouldn’t waste it on the storyteller, but not valuable enough to threaten him for it.
After all the beatings I took that day, this amount won’t heal the wounds in my heart.
I’m still hungry.
“This is where my father was attacked by the monster!!”
Hamurin Prince finally arrived at the place where his father was assassinated, fighting off assassins and bandits sent by his uncle.
He merely extorted a bit ruthlessly, but the story itself seemed interesting enough for Yoon Dae-hyeop to keep focusing on my tale.
Now, I just need to find the evidence of my uncle’s assassination and return.
But today feels different.
“Ahh! The evidence, the evidence is too faint! There must be some evidence nearby, but it’s too hard for a young martial artist like me to find!”
I looked around, frustrated that I couldn’t find any evidence, and acted out Hamurin Prince who was pounding his chest in despair.
“Hurry up and find the evidence, don’t dawdle!”
“Just grab any evidence and bring it back!”
Audience, important build-up moment! Please bear with me for a moment.
“Ah! If only a renowned warrior were here!!”
In my frustration, I brilliantly acted out as Hamurin Prince, pacing around. I took a big breath and began to look back at the audience.
“Noo!! That person is!!!”
I jumped up in shock and hopped down to stand in front of Yoon Dae-hyeop again.
“I have no more money to give.”
As I stood before him, Yoon Dae-hyeop responded with an annoyed expression.
I get it. He doesn’t want just money.
He wants more than that.
“Are you not the famous Yoon Dae-hyeop of the Central Plains’ Sword and Spear Sect?!”
“Uh?! Right!”
Yoon Dae-hyeop was startled when Hamurin Prince pretended to know him and replied.
“I’m still lacking in achievements, so my ability to see martial arts is insufficient! Please help me!!”
I jumped on stage and grabbed Yoon Dae-hyeop’s arm, dragging him toward the platform.
Huh? He’s not moving.
No matter how much I pulled, Yoon, the master, wouldn’t budge.
Is this the technique called Heaven’s Weight? It’s a skill that adds weight to one’s body with internal energy. I may have learned the Tonae Technique, but even I can’t budge him.
Yoon Dae-hyeop stared at me with a cold gaze, as if challenging me to pull harder.
This wasn’t expected. What do I do now?
Just then.
“Gah! What the?”
A person wearing a bamboo hat suddenly appeared behind Yoon Dae-hyeop and lightly kicked the back of his knee. With the balance broken, Yoon Dae-hyeop was effortlessly pulled by my force.
Thanks, Heavenly Killing Star!
You’ve got some sense.
“What, what kind of murderous intent is this?”
Heavenly Killing Star didn’t just kick the back of his knee. Yoon Dae-hyeop turned around, bewildered, but Heavenly Killing Star was already gone.
Seizing the opportunity while Yoon Dae-hyeop was distracted by the murderous intent, I brought him to the platform.
“What was that…?”
How intense was the murderous intent that left him dazed?
This is why amateurs can’t do it. If he had used a technique like Heavenly Shift or Iron Shift, he could have endured the murderous intent. I don’t even know if those exist.
I need to quickly continue the dialogue before Yoon Dae-hyeop regains his senses from the shock.
“Yoo-yoo-yoo Yoon Dae-hyeop!! Come here! Is this scar on the tree the sword technique of the heir?”
I pointed to an imaginary tree with my fan and asked Yoon Dae-hyeop.
“No, how could I recognize a sword technique I’ve never seen…?”
“Is it correct?!”
“Yeah, it looks like it!”
Yoon Dae-hyeop lazily acknowledged it and tried to step down from the platform.
Not so fast, buddy.
“No! This is not a sword mark; it’s a bear scratch, isn’t it?!”
I pretended to examine the imaginary tree closely and said to Yoon Dae-hyeop, who was trying to leave the platform.
“Ha ha! You don’t even know a bear scratch when you see one!”
“Khuhuhuh. So much for the legendary Yoon Dae-hyeop.”
“Can’t Yoon Dae-hyeop even tell the difference between a claw mark and a sword mark?!”
The audience began to laugh at Yoon Dae-hyeop for mistaking a bear scratch for a sword mark.
“E-Eek!”
Yoon Dae-hyeop rushed back to the platform after becoming the audience’s laughingstock.
Kiddo, you fell for the hook. Where do you think you’re running off to?
His temples were trembling like crazy. But he couldn’t lash out at me or the audience.
After all, he is a character in this story.
If he loses his temper, it would ruin the atmosphere, and then Yoon Dae-hyeop would be the topic of gossip for ages.
Being in the spotlight on stage is tough like this.
Now, for Yoon Dae-hyeop to step down in peace, he needs to restore his honor. He showed some signs of calming down and opened his mouth.
“Now that I see it, it really is a bear scratch.”
Ohh. Is this the emotional control of a martial artist? Yoon Dae-hyeop quickly changed to a poker face and started smoothing his jaw as if he was looking at the imaginary tree. I have to play along.
“Yes, at first glance, it could’ve been mistaken. I, too, must’ve confused it as it probably scraped lightly.”
Even if he’s a character in the story, if I keep teasing him, he might snap. For now, I decided to help restore Yoon Dae-hyeop’s face.
“Indeed, it could be mistaken at a glance.”
Yoon Dae-hyeop awkwardly echoed my lines.
“Oh! There’s clear evidence here that my uncle used the sword techniques!”
I lifted my folded fan, pretending it was evidence, and showed it to the audience.
“I shall take my leave now.”
As I pretended to find the evidence, Yoon Dae-hyeop was about to step down.
“One moment, Yoon Dae-hyeop! We have a very important question!”
I quickly stopped him.
“What now?!”
“As I understand, Yoon Dae-hyeop is a warrior of the Sword and Spear Sect from Hubei Province, correct?”
“Right. Why do you ask?”
“This is not the Central Plains but Joseon. Why is a martial artist from the Central Plains here?!”
“Because you….”
Uh-oh, this guy is about to ruin the immersion.
“Could it be! You’re not the Yoon Dae-hyeop of the Sword and Spear Sect but the Yoon Dae-hyeop of the Nungnam Sect?!”
I jumped back in shock, taking two steps away.
“The Nungnam Sect, what’s that?”
Yoon Dae-hyeop tilted his head, looking at me.
“It’s the name of the sect my uncle hired assassins from! I heard there’s a Yoon Dae-hyeop there too!”
“Wait, the warrior from the Sword and Spear Sect was an assassin?!”
“How is this even progressing? Didn’t you say to not interrupt earlier? I didn’t mention it, but this storyteller always twists the tale a little each time! It’s interesting every time, and this time it’s different again!”
The audience started buzzing with surprise at the unexpected twist.
“Wait, what is this nonsense…?”
Yoon Dae-hyeop suddenly became the villain, sporting a bewildered expression.
“If you’re not an assassin, prove it!”
“What do you want me to prove?!”
“If you’re confident before the heavens, show the sword techniques of the Sword and Spear Sect to the sky!”
Don’t you feel upset after being mocked once?
Come on, Master Yoon.
Show me some skills.
“The sword techniques of the Sword and Spear Sect aren’t something to be displayed like a circus performance….”
What a long-winded explanation.
“Hear me, O Heaven! If you believe this man’s innocence should be proven by the sword techniques of the Sword and Spear Sect, clap your hands!”
I spread my arms to the heavens and started clapping.
“Woooooahhhh!”
“Let’s see that legendary sword dance!”
“I’ll even give you a standing ovation! Show us, hurry!”
The audience erupted in applause, excited for the spectacle.
“Ugh!”
Yoon Dae-hyeop flinched under the overwhelming clapping. He continued to endure.
If he doesn’t show his martial arts, he won’t be able to descend the stage.
“Hear me, O Heaven! We shall continue to clap until this man’s innocence is proven!”
“Make it quick!!”
“A mere sword technique won’t wear me down!”
“Don’t just strut around! Show us a performance!”
Yoon Dae-hyeop lowered his head, trying to ignore the clapping. But that had the opposite effect. Now, ALL the spectators were shouting at him, clapping even louder.
“Fine! Everyone shut up! Just show me already!”
In the end, Yoon Dae-hyeop had to concede.
“Yoon Dae-hyeop! You’re really going to show us you’re not an assassin of the Nungnam Sect, right?”
“I’ll show you!”
“Alright! The Yoon Dae-hyeop of the Sword and Spear Sect will now perform a sword dance!”
Now that’s the entertainment that requires a sword!
“No, when did I ever say I’d do a sword dance…?”
“Woooooahhhh!”
“Yayyyy!”
“What in the world is happening here?”
Yoon Dae-hyeop sighed quietly and eventually began to showcase his sword dance.
I took a step back to avoid any potential sword blows coming my way.
Yoon Dae-hyeop’s performance before the audience wasn’t a graceful dance of a beautiful maiden or a profound philosophical dance of a renowned sect member. Rather, it was a splendid display worthy of catching people’s eyes.
Wow, this is cooler than I expected.
“That will be it!”
Yoon Dae-hyeop finished his sword dance with style.
“This is the sword technique of the Sword and Spear Sect! A glimpse into how the Hamu-Rin has broadened my insights! Am I right? Oh Heaven! If this was impressive, please give a thunderous round of applause!”
Quickly, I snatched the words from Yoon Dae-hyeop before he could say anything and urged the audience for their reaction.
“Woooooahhhh!”
“That was awesome!”
“Not surprising they’re paying tribute to the Sword and Spear Sect!”
The audience’s applause shifted from mocking Yoon Dae-hyeop to genuine compliments for his performance.
“Uh, well…”
Yoon Dae-hyeop, blushing under the praise from those who once made a mockery of him, looked flustered.
“Yoon Dae-hyeop! Thanks to you, we found evidence, and your splendid dance has broadened our horizons! Thank you!”
I bowed deeply at Yoon Dae-hyeop.
Applause from the crowd. My expressions of gratitude.
Now isn’t that a good mood?
“Cough! Just know it’s all thanks to me! I’ll take my leave now…”
“Yoo-yoo-yoo Yoon Dae-hyeop! Are you really about to leave me behind?!”
It’s not over yet for you, buddy.
“Why are you like this? What do you want from me?!”
You know very well why.
“Yoon Dae-hyeop! I’m currently broke! Won’t you share some of your travel expenses with me?!”
My gratitude was just a trap.
Hand over some more cash.
“Do you know how much I’ve already given you today! I’ve given too much to cover the story!”
Yoon Dae-hyeop’s cluelessness was infuriating. Saying that throws him off as a character.
Asking him for more money now would ruin the festive mood on stage, and he might even draw his sword against me.
Should I just give up?
Not a chance!
“O Heaven!!!”
“I’m going to take my leave now.”
Seeing me plotting, Yoon Dae-hyeop turned to leave the platform.
No way, that’s not happening!
“Here!! If Yoon Dae-hyeop leaves!! I’ll have to ask the heavens for help again!! If Yoon Dae-hyeop helps me, I won’t seek help from the heavens!!”
Audience! If this guy gives me cash, I won’t use the Donation Technique.
Help me out!
“To help, I need to finish helping! Can’t you at least spare a single coin?!”
“People shouldn’t be so stingy!”
“Waaahh! The Sword and Spear Sect only knows how to swing a sword! Doesn’t the Hamu-Rin Prince deserve sympathy?!”
The crowd began to pressure Yoon Dae-hyeop now that I assured them he wouldn’t have to give any money.
Isn’t it his loss if he doesn’t fork over some cash anyway?
Now it’s time to unleash some verbal punches.
“Wait. I already gave this storyteller a hefty sum today.”
“The illustrious Yoon Dae-hyeop! If you help me today, I, Hamurin, will never forget your kindness and will serve you with gratitude forever!”
I dropped to the ground, prostrating before Yoon Dae-hyeop. Hey, you need to sprinkle some cash if you want to lift me back up.
“Ughhh! Fine! This is the last time!”
With those words, Yoon Dae-hyeop took out some money from his wallet and tossed it in front of me.
I peeked up quietly and confirmed the money lying at my feet.
What a tightwad. Why does his face look angry but his hands act rationally?
“Yoon Dae-hyeop! In order to return to my position as Heir, your generosity is absolutely necessary!!!”
I wanted the white, shiny ones, not these dark, dull coins.
“Seriously! What on earth! Ugh!”
Yoon Dae-hyeop sighed deeply, then pulled out a few white coins from his pocket and tossed them to me.
Thank you!
“Thank you! Yoon Dae-hyeop! I will carve this gratitude together with my bones and cherish it forever! Oh Heaven! Please give a round of applause for the generous and skilled warrior of the Sword and Spear Sect, Yoon Dae-hyeop!!!”
“Woooooahhh!!”
The crowd erupted in applause for the thoroughly exhausted Yoon Dae-hyeop.
Watching him stagger down from the platform, drained, I silently laughed. Though I spoke of never forgetting Yoon Dae-hyeop’s kindness, the Hamurin Prince will likely never remember it anyway.
But I felt those heart-wounds from the past slowly healing today.
—————–
The story of Hamurin Prince successfully concluded.
“That was fun!”
“That’s why I was invited to the Gapsu Association!”
“I’ll come again next time!”
As I finished my tale and was about to head down to practice the Donation Technique, Yoon Dae-hyeop was all on edge, but I ignored him and started collecting money from others.
Seems like I mainly wiped him out for today’s performance because the crowd was pretty generous with their donations at the end.
If I could earn this much every day, I could live without worrying about money.
After confirming that most of the audience had dispersed, I too descended from the platform.
I wonder where Heavenly Killing Star went.
Today’s story was especially fun; I should ask for feedback. I hope the reactions were good.
As I searched for Heavenly Killing Star among the diminishing crowd, someone suddenly grabbed my shoulder from behind.
Could it be Heavenly Killing Star?
“Uh? What’s the matter?”
When I turned around, it wasn’t Heavenly Killing Star.
It was Yoon Dae-hyeop, looking grim with a serious face.
This is bad news.
Yoon Dae-hyeop spoke to me in a low yet firm tone.
“Follow me quietly. If you shout, it’ll be no fun.”
