Chapter v21c5

(TLN: We got DMCA nuked So all korean novels will be removed this week If you want to get updated on What might happen join the discord or Kofi If you can )

When his master first brought Yeon-Bi to Cheonhyang Pavilion, So Han-San didn’t even glance at her. He didn’t see the point in hiring such a young girl.

“She’s actually fifteen this year. She’s a picky eater, so she’s a bit small for her age.”

Yeon-Bi sighed inwardly, listening to his ridiculous excuse.

“…She looks twelve at most, maybe even eleven.”

“Haha, have you been living under a rock? Anyway, are you saying no?”

His master’s voice was becoming threatening. But So Han-San wasn’t easily intimidated.

“I’m a businessman, old man. Even if it’s your request, hiring such a young girl would tarnish the reputation of Cheonhyang Pavilion, which has been built over three generations.”

A bad reputation meant a decline in sales. His concern was understandable.

“Hmph. I heard that this place sometimes attracts unique customers. Those who won’t even look at anyone over fourteen…”

“Ahem, ahem. You seem to have misunderstood what those third-rate taverns do.”

So Han-San coughed, trying to gloss over his master’s awkward remark. Yeon-Bi felt a surge of anger towards her master, feeling So Han-San’s scrutinizing gaze.

“Well, it doesn’t matter, since she’s not skilled in that area anyway. I guess I have no choice but to show you why I brought her here.”

“What do you mean?”

“Prepare a stage.”

A stage was hastily assembled. So Han-San watched with curiosity as the young girl, carrying a geomungo taller than herself, climbed onto the stage. He seemed to have decided to treat it as a form of entertainment.

‘Hmph!’

Yeon-Bi thought, placing her fingers on the seven strings of the geomungo.

‘Alright. If I deliberately play poorly, I won’t have to work here, right?’

He already had more than enough side jobs. If he added tavern work to the mix, he might die from overwork at this tender age. He was starting to suspect that his master was only teaching him martial arts to improve his stamina so he wouldn’t collapse from exhaustion.

‘Take it easy, Yeon-Bi!’

He whispered to himself.

‘Easy! Easy!’

His master said,

“Don’t even think about taking it easy!”

He was like a mind reader.

‘I guess I should play decently enough so he won’t notice.’

*Diririririring!*

He started playing. He had never skipped a day of geomungo practice since he had started learning from his master. His small hands moved effortlessly across the seven strings. He could now control the intensity of his playing with ease.

‘Easy! Easy!’

He had to be careful not to get too carried away. Cheonhyang Pavilion was a high-class establishment, so they must have hired skilled musicians. He could easily get rejected if he played just decently enough. That was enough.

But the reactions were strange.

‘Why are they all closing their eyes?’

They looked like they were intoxicated by the music. This was troublesome.

‘Hey! Can’t you hear that I’m playing half-heartedly? Why are you all making those faces? Open your eyes and ignore this mediocre music! Go back to your lives!’

There was nothing admirable about his mediocrity. But his inner cries fell on deaf ears. He looked at So Han-San, the owner.

‘His judgment is what matters! He’ll be able to see through my half-heartedness.’

But he was disappointed. So Han-San was nodding silently, his eyes filled with interest.

*Ding!*

His distracted performance ended. Silence. No one reacted.

‘There’s still hope…’

But his hope was shattered by the sudden outburst of admiration.

“Oooooh!”

“Wow!”

“Waaaaaaaaah!”

A waiter in the back, wiping a table, even shed a tear, his head tilted to the side.

‘Hey, don’t cry over my half-assed performance.’

He sighed, looking around the bustling tavern. But he didn’t forget to bow politely in response to their applause.

“Hmm, you seem promising. I’ll offer you a contract.”

So Han-San said, a satisfied smile on his face, handing him a piece of paper. His previous hesitation was gone.

“We should review the contract first. Shouldn’t we discuss the terms?”

His master said, taking his time. So Han-San groaned.

“You can keep all the tips you receive from the customers, in addition to your performance fee.”

“That’s a bit…”

It was customary to split the tips.

“What? You have a problem with that?”

“No, it’s fine.”

So Han-San sighed. He was clearly impressed by Yeon-Bi’s talent.

“And I won’t dance unless I feel like it.”

“That’s going to be a problem.”

“It’ll increase her value. People will be curious about her dance, since her music is so good. If you sell your smile too easily, it becomes cheap. I thought you were a shrewd businessman, but you’re not as good as your grandfather.”

His master said, clicking his tongue. He seemed to know So Han-San’s grandfather, the legendary merchant who had once been known as the “Golden Mountain.”

“How could I ever compare to my grandfather? Alright, I’ll do as you say.”

And so the contract was signed. Yeon-Bi wasn’t particularly happy about it.

* * *

Because of that incident, So Han-San couldn’t complain about Yeon-Bi keeping all the tips. He snapped back to the present and continued,

“Let’s move on. Speaking of which, I’d like you to avoid the back garden where you usually practice your dance… for the time being.”

His tone was hesitant, which piqued her curiosity.

“Why?”

“It’s been designated as a restricted area, at the request of a VIP.”

Her curiosity grew.

“Who’s the VIP?”

“I can’t tell you. Just stay away from dangerous places.”

Her curiosity only intensified, but she decided to back down for now.

“Alright. I’ll be going then.”

She stood up, her business concluded. She had a mountain of tasks to complete.

“Ah, can you perform again tomorrow? We have important guests staying for a while.”

He was probably referring to the guests who had rented the main banquet hall. The VIP and the restricted area were probably related to them. But it was none of her business.

She wasn’t an employee of Cheonhyang Pavilion. They had a contract, with specific terms and conditions. She wasn’t obligated to follow their schedule.

“Tomorrow is my day off, so that would be considered overtime work. I have other plans.”

It was a firm but polite refusal. She had to go to the blacksmith’s workshop tomorrow. It was a rough job, but she had grown fond of it lately. There was something satisfying about creating something, especially something of high value.

“Of course, you’ll be compensated. I’ll pay you double your usual rate!”

“I’ll consider it for triple.”

“Well…”

“I’ll be going then.”

She had received rave reviews for her performance today, so he was the one who was desperate. She opened the door.

“Wait!”

“What is it?”

She didn’t turn around.

“You win. Triple it is.”

She stopped in her tracks. She turned around and said,

“Then let’s discuss the details.”

She smiled, her expression confident.

* * *

She left his office, having successfully negotiated her fee, and glanced at the back garden.

“A dangerous restricted area, huh? He’s practically begging me to go there.”

It didn’t seem dangerous at all, but she had already made up her mind.

“But first, the bank.”

It was her rule to deposit her earnings at the bank immediately.

* * *

The manager of the Azure Dragon Bank rushed to greet her as soon as she arrived.

“Welcome, Miss Yeon. It’s an honor to have you back at our bank.”

Judging by his hospitality, she was a valued customer. The more money she deposited, the more profit they made, so they were always happy to see her.

“I’d like to exchange these ten gold coins for cash today. With this quality and condition, they’re top-grade. And if we add my current balance…”

She quickly calculated the amount using the abacus on the table. The manager nodded, impressed.

“You have a keen eye, Miss Yeon. It’s not easy to assess the value of precious metals so accurately.”

“I have some experience in this field.”

There was no need to reveal too much. It was enough to show him that she was more than just a naive young girl. She had done enough business with them that no one would dare to underestimate her because of her age, but she had to be more careful than when she was Bi Ryu-Yeon. Even if the core was the same, people treated you differently depending on whether you were wearing pants or a skirt.

“Here you go. Everything is processed.”

The manager handed her a ledger, which contained a record of all her transactions.

“Hmm, everything seems to be in order. Thank you for your service.”

She checked the ledger and returned it to him.

“It’s our pleasure, Miss Yeon. Your financial success is our joy. Thank you for your continued patronage.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll be back.”

Consistency was key. She left the bank, feeling satisfied.

* * *

That evening, someone on the mountaintop displayed a stark contrast to the employees of the Azure Dragon Bank, despite receiving money that he would never return.

“Is this all?”

“Yes, Master.”

Yeon-Bi, back in her male form, replied firmly.

“Hmm, are you sure you didn’t receive any extra?”

The old man asked, scrutinizing him.

“Yes, Master.”

He replied, trying to hide his guilt. Any hesitation would betray him. He tried to maintain his composure.

‘Is this what they call a ‘clear mind like a still water’?’

His training was proving useful.

“Are you sure?”

The master asked again, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.

“Yes, Master.”

He didn’t waver.

‘He’s improved!’

The master stared at him for a moment, then changed the subject.

“Alright. Are you going to the blacksmith’s workshop tomorrow?”

It was the most renowned blacksmith’s workshop in Sichuan. They could forge anything, from swords for warriors to hair ornaments for young ladies.

“I rescheduled it for the day after tomorrow. I have to work overtime at Cheonhyang Pavilion tomorrow. Double pay, so I can’t complain.”

He casually changed “triple” to “double.” His master wouldn’t have believed him if he had said he was working overtime for his usual rate, but this should be enough to appease him. The difference between triple and double was just a minor detail.

“Hmm. So, how’s the blacksmithing going?”

He had passed the test.

“I’m making progress. I still have a long way to go before I become a master blacksmith, though.”

“Tsk, tsk, you’re so slow. A blacksmith is only a true blacksmith when he can forge a sword. A sword is the art of fire and iron.”

‘And money is the art of profit, right?’

He kept his thoughts to himself.

“You seem dissatisfied.”

His master was sharp. He couldn’t show any hesitation, or he would be admitting his guilt. He forced a bright smile.

“No, Master. I agree with you.”

“Hmm, alright. Anyway, focus on your Lightning Splitting Water training.”

The master said, glancing at his hands.

“Why?”

“A girl’s hands should be beautiful. It’s inevitable that your hands will become rough from working with fire and iron, but the Lightning Splitting Water technique will prevent that.”

He replied, as if it was obvious.

“Is that a beauty technique?”

*Thwack!* A flick on the forehead, now a routine occurrence.

“You idiot! Of course not! It’s about application, application!”

He covered his head with his hands and protested.

“Ugh, you didn’t have to hit me!”

“Let’s eat. You’ve worked hard today.”

It was an unspoken order to work hard tomorrow as well.

“Yes, Master.”

He replied politely, but his lips were pouted. He was always the one who had to prepare dinner.

‘Someday, I’ll escape this life!’

He vowed inwardly.