The budget is tight.
I came out of the room with Lady Tang, ordered a meal, and absentmindedly fiddled with my lightened pouch.
Ding ding! ‘I do have some extra money.’
I actually have another emergency money pouch that I’ve never shown Lady Tang.
Since the money started coming in, I’ve been living by the 3.3.3 rule like back on Earth.
3 for living expenses, 3 for savings, and 3 for gacha. A rule all working adults should know.
Huh? ‘I can’t use my emergency money pouch for gacha draws in this novel.’
I don’t know what might happen while I’m writing the book. It’d be best to finish the trip with money coming out of the living expenses pouch as much as possible.
For that, I need to make money.
The problem is this is a backward village. Not a good place to work as a storyteller.
After all, generosity comes from the granary. You need money to give donations. In a village like this, I wonder if I should be looking to work as a storyteller somewhere else.
Seriously? ‘You’re just staring at me without knowing how troubled I am.’
I’m talking about you. Lady Tang.
“…….”
Lady Tang had come out of the guest room and was silently glaring at me.
So awkward.
If I could add a cartoonish effect behind her, it’d be like snowstorming cold stares all around.
What should I say?
It’s a misunderstanding. My brain was fiercely resisting, but my lower body malfunctioned due to its commands. Honestly, how could I withstand such magnificence that absorbs all my vision?
No.
It’s not my fault. Humans are creatures of reason, but they are also creatures of libido, as the famous psychoanalyst in Joseon, Mr. P, said.
Ugh. Enough. All pitiful excuses.
Let’s pretend I don’t know anything.
If I keep smiling, I won’t drool.
The hero, Yoon Ho, knows nothing about why Lady Tang is staring silently.
“Haah.”
Lady Tang kept looking at my smiling face and let out a deep sigh.
“Why are you sighing so early in the morning?”
“Shouldn’t I be?”
Lady Tang glared at me so hard it felt like the air crackled. Isn’t this a bit too much? Did I touch something? Did I lean forward?
In the bright morning, she looked bouncy yet soft, majestic enough that just looking at her felt like a ticket to paradise. I should rather praise my patience in this situation.
But making excuses is the mark of a novice. I have to keep pretending to be oblivious.
I kept looking at Lady Tang with a smile on my face.
What’s going on with her looking so worn out this morning? What’s with those dark circles under her eyes?
Okay. Let’s change the subject.
“Did you have trouble sleeping or something?”
I asked with a genuinely worried look.
“……Oh?”
“Was the bed uncomfortable? I slept just fine.”
If you’re not used to the bedding, you might have a sleepless night. Is Lady Tang one of those types?
“I wasn’t having trouble because of the bed…”
“Huh? Then what?”
“…Never mind. Haah. If I’m the only one thinking this way, then I’m just crazy.”
Lady Tang let out a sigh that sounded like she was feeling pathetic about herself.
What’s she thinking about?
Noticing my puzzled expression, she seemed to come to some understanding on her own and softened her expression.
“Food is ready!”
Given the atmosphere, I totally forgot to bring the water.
“Wait, I’ll grab some water.”
I told Lady Tang and pulled the chair back.
“Sit still. This time I’ll get it.”
Lady Tang quickly got up and brought the water bottle before I could move.
“Oh! Trust score plus one!”
I’m impressed she caught on quickly after just one look. I held up a finger towards Lady Tang.
“What the hell?”
Lady Tang looked at me in disbelief before slowly breaking into a chuckle.
Yeah. Now that she’s laughing, the mood is lightening up.
Finally, I can eat comfortably.
——
“Are we leaving right away?”
After finishing our meal, Lady Tang asked me.
“I’m considering just working as a storyteller here for a day before leaving.”
Money isn’t something to worry about when it runs out; it’s better to prepare for a lack of money beforehand.
“Are you hesitating to do that because of me? You can if you want.”
“No. It’s not because of that. This town is just too backward.”
“Why does being backward matter?”
“There are many elderly people, and even if I use the Donation Technique in a backward town, the probability of making any money is low.”
Of course, if I use the technique excellently, I could get money.
The problem is that the listeners might be stingy with their money or too financially strained to spare much for living.
‘Though Lady Tang could help, that is.’
Actually, I know a way to solve this problem. No matter how remote the village, there is a way to make money. But I can’t ask Lady Tang for help.
‘For a balanced relationship, we need to maintain a give-and-take relationship.’
I’m the water provider, Lady Tang is the escort. Together, we are companions heading to our destination. If I reach out first to ask her to help me earn money, the relationship would be disrupted.
There’s no need to ruin a relationship built on a few bucks.
“Hey, Kang Yoon-ho.”
“What?”
Lady Tang called me with enthusiasm, looking somewhat bashful as she fidgeted with her fingers.
“Um… Is there anything I can help with?”
Lady Tang seemed shy as she said this, unable to meet my gaze and looking down at her fidgeting hands.
Whoa? Lady Tang is offering to help first?
Now this changes everything.
“You really want to help?”
I clasped her hands with both of mine to not miss her words.
“Hey! What are you doing with my hands?”
“Will you help?”
“Ugh… Yeah, I’ll help!”
With a flushed face, Lady Tang looked from her hands to my face and nodded vigorously.
“Then, Lady Tang, let’s do a job together.”
If I can use only the method I’ve thought of, making money in this town will be a piece of cake.
———————
Late afternoon. On the road to the village square.
“Are you really going to do it?”
Lady Tang asked me again with an uneasy voice.
“Just trust me.”
“I’m feeling uneasy.”
Lady Tang looked at me with skeptical eyes.
“I’ve been working as a storyteller for years, so stop worrying.”
“How many years?”
“Uh… I probably haven’t been doing it for a full year yet?”
I answered Lady Tang with a smile.
“Haah. Is it really okay to trust you?”
Lady Tang let out a deep sigh and followed behind me with uncertain steps.
“Cheer up! Once we finish today’s job, I’ll add ten trust points for you!”
I threw out a silly joke to boost her confidence.
“Haah. What are you even saying? For real… But how many points is the maximum?”
I hadn’t even thought about that.
Just a rough score based on the mindset of a recreation instructor at a training camp.
As we strolled while tossing around silly jokes, we soon arrived at the village square.
“The storyteller has arrived!”
“Grandpa! A storyteller came to our village!”
“Huh huh, yes, child. Look over there. It’s been ages since we’ve seen a storyteller.”
“Old-timer! Make some room for sitting!”
“My joints are stiff, I need to sit comfortably.”
“Who isn’t sore!”
As we entered the village square, a crowd had formed.
“Good thing we slipped a little money to Jeom So-i.”
“True.”
Lady Tang gazed at the gathered crowd with wide eyes, then nodded at my words.
After breakfast, I casually slipped some money to Jeom So-i, who seemed sociable and told them a storyteller had arrived, promising that if a lot of people showed up, I’d give them more money. And so, quite a number of people had shown up.
I stepped onto the stage prepared for the rare visitors in the village.
“Good day! I am Kang Mo, the storyteller from Joseon!”
Clap! I unfurled my trademark folding fan as always, capturing the audience’s attention.
“Huh huh, a foreign storyteller. I wonder what interesting stories we’ll hear.”
I slowly scanned the audience.
Elderly people, children, middle-aged men who looked like farmers, village women. I could see a few who seemed well-off, but most looked poor.
In front of such an audience, the probability of making big money is low. It normally would.
Let’s start with the material.
“Today, the story I’ll tell is about ‘The Hamurin Prince who took revenge for his grandfather!’”
In a village I’d only work a day and leave, there’s no need to whip out a brand new story that fits their taste. A story that guarantees fun and income with a proper twist.
Since there is a large portion of elderly people in the audience, I changed the revenge scenario from the father to the grandfather as I continued the tale.
No way! Did he kill my father? What an unfilial act!
Looks like that uncle is a terrible person!
That uncle! He ran away after messing with another man’s wife in some other village!
The grandson must continue the family line; how could the inheritance go to a scoundrel!
When I said that the uncle, who was supposed to have killed the Hamurin’s father, had actually killed his grandfather and taken all of the inheritance, the elders’ reactions instantly escalated.
What a vibe-enhancing setup! The naughty second son. The dutiful grandson. Parents can be unreliable, but the faith that only the eldest son will perform ancestor rituals was betrayed.
They have no choice but to be furious.
Let’s move to the second phase.
“The heir’s wealth belongs to those vile bastards! I cannot use dirty money to take revenge on my grandfather! Oh heavens!! Please give me travel expenses!!”
Now it’s time for the Donation Technique. I started weaving through the audience with my money pouch.
“…….”
It’s chilly. Everyone’s eyes avoid me.
I kinda predicted this.
In a backward place like this, they aren’t going to toss money at me right away.
“Oh heavens!! Without travel expenses, I can’t get to the place where my grandfather was murdered!!”
But that’s not the type of person I’m going to give up!
Tired of the story? No matter how much you don’t want to give money, if the pouch doesn’t fill up, we’re not getting off this stage!
“Huh huh! People are so cold-hearted! Here you go! Quickly take revenge!”
“I don’t have much money, so I’ll only give this much!”
“Quickly take revenge for my grandfather!”
“I can at least buy some snacks with this, right?”
When an old man threw money as a representative, others began tossing coins too. But compared to Chilgok County, it was still a meager amount.
I expected this much.
Guessing they wouldn’t want to put out big cash in such a dreary town. No need to be disappointed.
This is just part of the plan.
Shall we proceed to the third phase?
I climbed back onto the stage and continued acting.
“I’ve found the evidence! But I have way too little money to travel!!! I can’t even sleep properly in a decent inn nor remember the last time I had a full meal!”
I shook the pouch, which held little money, symbolizing the character’s plight was due to the audience.
“So please give me some money!”
“Did you forget that last time, the storyteller left because he didn’t get a dime?”
“Are you going to end the story by saying someone dies of exhaustion?”
Oh, they’ve experienced this before, with murmurs of discomfort growing among the crowd.
Don’t worry. Giving up because I can’t earn money is an amateur’s move.
“I’m exhausted from this long journey! My body is heavy, and my heart is weary!”
I dropped my shoulders, walking back and forth on the stage, one hand clenched in a fist as I raised it high.
This was a signal for someone waiting in the crowd.
“It’s dangerous!”
With a warning from a woman holding a deadly hidden knife, an assassin’s weapon, adorned with a red ribbon, flew toward me.
Whack!
“Ugh!”
I bent over, pretending to be gravely injured by the hidden knife.
“What’s happening? Who threw that?”
“Who threw that at the Hamurin?”
“Get out! What is going on here!”
People started to rise in shock.
No, please don’t get up.
“No! The assassin was sent by my uncle!”
Whew, calm down, everyone. I lifted the weapon charmed with a bright red knot to reassure the crowd.
Where’s Lady Tang?
They said this training weapon is safe, but this really hurts!
Seriously, you shouldn’t trust those who say these heel weapons are safe!
What? This was all staged?
The crowd settled down again, reassured.
The stage is set, now shall we start?
“Fortunately, it missed a vital spot!!! But how could an assassin show up now with me all fatigued!!! What if that assassin throws another hidden knife? What should I do? What on earth should I do!!!”
“Should I sleep?”
“Hey, what about that? If that assassin comes, how will you survive?”
“If you’re tired, then just sleep, right?”
“Sigh, being tired and having to stay awake… what a dilemma.”
People began to groan in this predicament.
There’s always a way, my elderly friends.
I know how to ease the prince’s fatigue.
In this backward town, just because people aren’t tossing out money?
There’s a method which my noble seniors told me to use exactly at a time like this.
You often feel tired, right?
“In anticipation of this moment!!! From faraway Sichuan Tang Family!!! I’ve brought a!! Fatigue Recovery Potion!!!”
Tada! The traveling medicine merchant has arrived from Joseon for your health!
