The World of Sound - Chapter 3



Only Krnovel

“No, this is… … !”

“It’s a new mountain range. Mr. Jang, you know where you can’t find someone as good as this, right?”

“Hmm. That’s true. He may not be as good as the last guy, but he’s good enough to be called a mountain man. So… … how much would it cost?”

Psychological warfare. A battle of wits has begun.

Things are great, but it is people who determine their value.

“110 nyang of silver.”

Because of this, there was a problem of who would offer the price first, but Cheonhwa threw out the price hotly.

110 nyang of silver.

Considering that the most one could receive for a regular top-grade hopi was around 100 nyang of silver, it could be said to be a fairly reasonable price.

He was the successor to the name of Sangun, the guardian deity of Yeongsan, and before coming here, there was someone who had asked for 200 nyang of silver, but that was a scammer, so this amount can be considered a reasonable price.

“… … I’ll give you 90 nyang.”

However, the opponent was not easy either.

As Cheonhwa said, he knew that it would be difficult to find a hopi of this quality, so he didn’t hit them too hard, but he naturally lowered the price as if he couldn’t ask for the highest price from the beginning.

“120 nyang.”

However, Cheonhwa offered a higher price instead.

Not only can’t we discount the price by even a penny, but we can also argue that the value of this hopi is much higher.

“100 nyang. We can’t do more. We have to leave a message too.”

Then, the other party had no choice but to raise the price to 100 nyang.

Although it is admitted that it has a quality higher than the highest grade, you cannot help but think about things like the transportation costs of finding someone to sell it to and negotiating with them to move the item.

“130 nyang!”

“No, why are the prices going up there? That’s not right!”

100 nyang was a huge amount of money, so I let out a loud noise, but Cheonhwa’s expression was extremely resolute.

In the past, I would have sold it off with a grudging heart for this amount of money, but I already had a track record.

It was like that when I first hunted and sold the mountain lions.

Even back then, he received a large sum of 100 nyang for the silver, but since he had hunted such a precious animal and someone happened to need it, I have seen him sell it for a much higher price.

So this time, he made a bold move, determined not to do anything that would make him sick.

“If you don’t like it, then there’s nothing I can do. I think I’ve sold too much in this town, so I’ll take it to another town and sell it. That’s all.”

“Huh? No, you bastard. Why are you like that? Don’t do that. Huh? Okay. I’ll give you 120 nyang.”

“150 nyang.”

Although I was short on money right now, I didn’t necessarily have to sell it right away, so I took it easy.

Because I also have compensation for mental damages I received from a guy who I don’t know if was a conman or a robber.

That’s why I took another gamble.

“Huh… …! Do you think that makes sense?”

“When I first sold the mountain, was it a reasonable situation? Mr. Jang sold it for 150 nyang, right? I received 100 nyang in silver.”

“Ugh… … But isn’t the situation quite different now than it was then? A fairly powerful person wanted a high-quality hopi, and while this is great, it’s not as good as it used to be.”

When Cheonhwa brought up the past, the other party looked very troubled, but he couldn’t easily accept the money.

This hopi is a bit special, because at that price, you would lose money if you resell it, or you would have very little left.

I started bargaining with that point in mind, but Cheonhwa went a step further.

“180 nyang!”

“Oh, that really won’t work. Then I’ll go sell it somewhere else!”

From there, they raised the price by 30 nyang again to 180 nyang.

Of course, a bad comment came out, but Cheonhwa smiled brightly.

I spoke to him as if I was gently teasing him.

“Are you sure you’re okay with that? I know you’re crazy about the good Hopi at Heukhobang. And when I came here, the area around Heukhobang Manor seemed quite crowded. It looks like there’s something good going on. If you don’t like it, I’ll take it there and sell it myself.”

It is known that the Black Tigers, a huge Sapha faction that divides Gaeyanghyeon in two, always want good quality hopi because of their reputation.

The last time we caught a mountain man, they were eager to buy him, but they gave up because he had already been sold to someone with a higher reputation. I remember them earnestly asking them to bring him to them first if they caught another one like him.

Although he was content to just receive a generous amount of money, he also knew that Mr. Jang was in a different position.

As a merchant belonging to the Non-Responding Group, he cannot help but think about the interests of the Group. However, since he is based in Gaeyang-hyeon, he cannot ignore the request of Heukhobang and cannot help but think about his relationship with them.

“Wouldn’t it be enough to give me 180 nyang there?”

Moreover, since they are located in the same area, there are no transportation costs involved, so even if you save a little, it is definitely a gain.

No, if you think about it, it would be beneficial even if there were no other questions left, considering that your relationship with them would improve.

When I brought that up, the other person seemed helpless and started to act like he had no choice.

There is no mistake in what Cheonhwa said.

“I lost. I’ll give you 180 nyang. I can’t win against you anymore.”

“I learned all this from you, old man!”

“Wow. I raised a tiger cub.”

In the end, Mr. Jang surrendered, and Cheonhwa smiled faintly.

Because it was a sales technique he had learned from him while going back and forth here for many years, selling herbs, animal skins, and the like.

Although it was a bit disappointing that I learned practical sales techniques while going through the motions, I learned a lot about bargaining methods and calculations, so I didn’t really feel it was a waste if I thought of it as a valuable lesson.

“Just wait a moment.”

“But what’s going on at Heukhobang? I saw it was noisy. Is there something good going on?”

While Mr. Jang was counting the silver coins, Cheonhwa, who had noticed that the atmosphere in the village was different from before, asked quietly.

I was planning to leave after selling this, so it didn’t really matter, but I was interested because it was a commotion I had never seen in a long time of coming and going from here.

“Didn’t you know? This is a big hit. Let me tell you. Tomorrow is the wedding of the eldest son of the Black Tiger Clan. He’s been preparing for it for several days already. I think he’s going to use this opportunity to clarify the succession plan, so he’s invited guests from various places, so he’s making the event bigger and more grand. He’s also going to show off to the other nearby Clans.”

“I saw that you were busy, but I didn’t look into it in detail because I was lazy. If I had known, I would have called you a little louder.”

“Please, let me know. Shouldn’t we leave some for ourselves?”

Now I finally know why Mr. Jang of Cheonhwado gave me 180 nyang of silver more easily than I thought.

If there is a special event like a wedding of a rich man, they can sell it for a higher price than usual.

‘No matter how well it sells, it won’t reach 200 nyang, so this is good enough.’

Even so, he would only be able to receive about 200 nyang in silver.

As Cheonhwa said, I could get it for more, or I could get a similar price if I sold it myself, but I was satisfied with this level because it could create quite a hassle if an individual tried to trade it.

Because it was a large sapa, they could have tried to rob it by force and tried to slash the price.

At least in this area around Gaeyanghyeon, they were people with tremendous influence, so I guess that’s acceptable.

Since he was going to leave anyway, it would be okay to cause a ruckus, but that was also annoying, so Cheonhwa quickly sold it and planned to leave.

I needed to save time, because if possible I was going to track down the damn master and grab him by the collar.

‘It’s still a shame.’

So the regret he felt was not simply because he did not receive a higher price.

If there was such a grand banquet, there must have been something to be gained. Even that old man must have been wandering around and gotten his tail stepped on, but the timing was not right.

Since he was the disciple of that master, I could be sure of it.

“They said someone was selling a hopi that looked like it was alive, and it was you. You took it off so cleanly without a single scratch. You must be the best!”

Just then, someone suddenly opened the door and came in, pretending to know me.

He was the general manager of Gaeyangru, the largest inn in Gaeyanghyeon.

It was a place where his master sold himself out, or rather, where he occasionally worked as a guest musician, and where he secretly bought meat and alcohol with slush funds, so he could be said to be a person with whom he was on friendly terms.

“Your Majesty, it’s been a while.”

“Yes. It’s been a while. I was waiting for you anyway.”

“Me? Why… …?”

However, since they had not been in contact beforehand, he thought it was just a coincidence that they had met, but the words that came out of the General Manager’s mouth made Cheonhwa tilt his head.

You waited for me? Why on earth?

Is there anything you can leave to me?

Starting from the time he was initiated into Cheon-eum Shingong, his skills were gradually recognized, and now whenever very important guests came, he was invited to work as a musician at Gaeyangru, so he had natural questions, but at the same time, an unknown sense of anxiety stimulated his sixth sense.

A strange, instinctive feeling of rejection crossed my mind, as if I were approaching a secret, an inconvenient truth that I should never know.

“Why? It’s because of the trauma.”

“Trauma… …the price?”

And ominous feelings are never wrong.

Trauma? That was something that came out of the mouth of the governor, something he had never even heard of before.

Although his credit, which he had built up over a long period of time, was solid as if his face was a receipt, he had never thought about taking out a credit card because every penny he earned went into the mouth of his master who was watching his income closely.

Rather, I thought it was a sin and something like a terrible disease.

So, my life’s joy was just secretly collecting the occasional extra income, saving some of it and using it to buy drinks and food, but when I heard that I had that terrible stigma attached to me without even knowing it, it felt like my world was falling apart.

“Yes. The debt that your master left you. And you took quite a bit of good wine and meat on credit five days ago. He said you would pay me back next time you came.”

‘… … This damn old man!!’

As expected, there was only one person who could do such an atrocious thing.

The master’s misdeeds are not over yet.

Not only did he run away in the middle of the night with everything of value, he even anticipated that he would come down here and left a note on his head!

‘They say there is no one in the world you can trust, but I repay the favor of feeding and raising you with enmity!’

It felt like our roles had changed a lot, but it wasn’t just my imagination.

After being taken in by the real master, it was Cheonhwa himself who took responsibility for making a living by being sold here and there under the pretext of cultivating.

“Uh, how much is it?”

“Let’s see. The original credit is 89 nyang, and the new credit you brought is 98 nyang… … That’s a total of 187 nyang. I wouldn’t normally give credit like this, but I gave you this because I saw your face.”

No, you should look at the face of the person who traumatized him. Why are you looking at my face?

Looking at that damn goatee, you’d think I’d be sad to see even the 187th chapter of the book go to waste!

Cheonhwa’s expression distorted terribly at the words of the general who seemed to be doing her a favor.

Since his master ran away in the middle of the night, it would be no use claiming that he and that gentleman were now strangers.

‘Should I throw it away?’

For a moment, Cheonhwa was troubled.

Anyway, I fell into the contemplation that if it’s something that just needs to be paid back, then maybe it doesn’t have to be now.

If you keep asking for more and say you’ll pay it back later with a lot of interest…

“The price of the Hopi here is 180 nyang.”

“Oh, by the way, your master said that you will be leaving soon, so when you come back this time, make sure to pay me back in full. There are only 7 nyang left.”

At that time, the Hopi fee was paid as if it had been arranged in advance.

And before it could naturally fall into Cheonhwa’s hands, it was snatched away by the Lord Chancellor and part of the debt was automatically repaid.

‘This human being… until the end!’

The author, who is known to be the master, even told the truth that he was leaving.

‘This must be a ploy to keep me from chasing him.’

Before he could make a decision, Cheonhwa opened his eyes and broke his nose, and reluctantly turned the pouch over and shook it.

Since it had come to this, I thought I might as well wipe everything out and start fresh.

“It’s exactly 5 nyang. But isn’t it 2 nyang less?”

However, even that wasn’t easy.

Because his master had taken everything that could be of value, Cheonhwa had nothing left.

So the compensation for mental damage received from someone who was either a con artist or a robber was revealed.

“Uh… … Your Majesty. I know it’s shameless, but that’s all I have… … How can it not work?”

But even that had its problems.

The money in the pouch was only 5 nyang of silver.

Even though the governor had swept it all away, there was still a debt of two nyang of silver left.

‘I’m really unlucky… … .’

Of course, 5 nyang of silver was a lot of money that ordinary people would have a hard time carrying around. However, it was also true that it was a very small amount of money for someone who pretended to be a famous martial artist.

That’s why Cheonhwa thought that the guy must have been a conman or a braggart.

I looked at the general with the most pitiful and troubled expression and eyes possible.

“Hmm. If that’s really all there is to it, then there’s nothing I can do. It’s okay. Can’t we even understand this much between us?”

Then, the governor, who heard Cheonhwa’s difficult situation, nodded with a generous expression.

As if he understood everything, he smiled very kindly and patted Cheonhwa on the shoulder.

“Thank you so much! I have always treated the General as a father… … .”

“If you don’t have money, you can just use your body. I have some good work coming up.”

“… … Oh, I forgot that I’m an orphan.”

However, that does not mean that the remaining trauma will be forgiven.

Instead, the governor arranged for Cheonhwa to find a job so that he could pay off the debt with his body.

Something that suits him perfectly, something that only he can do.

“I don’t have much time, so it’s hard for me to do the work I used to do and get paid monthly… … .”

“I know. In fact, we don’t have many distinguished guests visiting our inn to the extent that we can afford to hire a musician like you. What I want to ask you is a one-day business trip. The pay is sufficient, so I’m sure you’ll be satisfied.”

“If it’s a business trip in one day, then maybe… …?”

“Yes. You must have heard. There’s a wedding at Heukhobang. That’s why Heukhobangju asked our Gaeyangru to recruit the best musicians, but as you know, even in Gwiyang, the capital of Gwiju, recruiting first-class musicians is like looking for a needle in a haystack. I managed to recruit a few second-class musicians through some searching, but if you’ll take charge, then there’s no need to worry. I’ll give you full control of the performance that day. If you think it’ll be a nuisance, you can play alone without using the other musicians.”

It was a performance at a wedding ceremony held right in Heukhobang.

I had a rough idea from the noise in the street, but judging by the fact that they were even considering hiring first-class musicians, it seemed like they were definitely going to make a big deal out of this.

Judging from the fact that the Prime Minister is asking for this much, it seems like he is spending a lot of money.

“If he’s a second-class musician, I’m sure you would have paid quite a lot to bring him here. Is that okay?”

“Of course. There might be some losses, but Black Tiger is a big customer for us. Even if we don’t make any profit right away, if we think of it as an investment, it’s a gain.”

Even so, if they were second-class villains, they would have been people who would have been walking around with their shoulders raised, and it would have cost a lot of money to bring them in, but the general said that it would be okay to cut them all down.

That was because he believed in Cheonhwa’s abilities that much.

Knowing that Cheonhwa’s playing skills were so excellent that trying to match the chord with a clumsy performance could end up ruining the performance itself, he decided that it would be much better to do it alone.

First class musician.

The General knew better than anyone that this was all they could acknowledge at the moment, and that Cheonhwa’s skills had already far surpassed even first-class ones.

Because he recognized his skills early on and put great emphasis on them, he was able to successfully sell to high-ranking officials and martial arts masters who were known to be difficult, and greatly increase his guesthouse.

“Then how much is the wage… … .”

“Two nyang of gold. How is it?”

A daily wage of 2 nyang in gold, equivalent to 40 nyang in silver?

Of course, he could be that picky, but from Cheonhwa’s perspective, there was no reason not to do it.

Because if you show off your skills, no one will dare find fault with you.

“Just two more nyang of silver… … .”

“Okay. I’ll give you my five nyang separately. So, are you done?”

If it had been a top-class musician, it would have been a different story, but for a first-class musician, that amount was not bad, so Cheon-hwa was about to readily accept it, but out of habit, he tried to raise the price and was caught without being able to do anything.

The Prime Minister said that he would use him even if it meant investing money from Gaeyangru.

Just as Mr. Jang bought Hopi at a high price, they also thought of it as an investment because of their relationship with Heukhobang and added more money. This meant that Heukhobang had a great influence in Gaeyang County.

“As you know, we’re going to start tomorrow, so if it’s okay with you, I’d like you to stay in the Heukhobang today to check out the place and make preparations to make sure there aren’t any problems. Is that okay?”

“What… if it’s free?”

“Of course, you bastard. Of course, we’ll provide you with accommodations! And they’re preparing it very carefully for tomorrow. You can look forward to it. Well, I’ll show you around myself, so let’s go right away!”

Thanks to this, Cheonhwa was able to earn a large sum of money in one go, two nyang of gold, even after deducting the cost of debt.

Since this amount would be enough for travel expenses, Cheonhwa readily accepted it, and General Zhou quickly took him to Heukhobang.

“Oh! I guarantee it. The ark will surely be satisfied. If I serve this person and he gets upset and refuses to play, will you take responsibility?”

Although it was bustling with preparations for a grand banquet, the security of the Black Tiger Clan was quite tight, as it was basically a martial arts sect.

However, since there were few people in this world who did not know the general, and since he was in charge of various things at this banquet at the request of Bangju, Cheonhwa was able to enter very easily just by being with him.

“Then please take care of it!”

“Yes, yes.”

The Lord Chancellor did not know Cheonhwa well and assured those who were suspicious of him because he was young that he was a first-class musician, and then changed the roles of all the musicians he had prepared to replace Cheonhwa.

Originally, they were supposed to play in the main ceremony, but their role was changed to providing background music before the main ceremony.

There was a bit of an uproar, as it was only natural that a second-class musician’s pride would not allow it.

However, some of them had heard Cheonhwa play before, so they stepped forward to persuade him, and most of the musicians either accepted the offer to wait and see or to learn from Cheonhwa’s performance.

After all, their wages weren’t cut just because their roles were changed.

“Hmm. When will we get food?”

However, it was decided that the performance in the main event would be done by Cheonhwa alone.

Because he was left alone in the Black Tiger Room without having to socialize with other musicians, Cheonhwa heard about which people would be visiting tomorrow and what the ceremony would be like.

If it were anyone else, they would have to decide on the pieces and order and practice until their heads hurt, but for Cheonhwa, it was all something that could be decided the moment he heard it.

Thanks to that, I have quite a bit of time left.

I started to walk around Heukhobang’s manor, which I had never had the chance to look into or was interested in, even though I had been going back and forth to Gaeyang for quite some time.

“Iron Lion Margin has arrived!”

At that moment, the name of what seemed to be one of the guests invited for tomorrow resonated loudly throughout the manor.

As he tilted his head, thinking that Cheonhwa was a familiar name but a name he could not quite remember, the Black Tiger Ark ran out barefoot to greet him.

“Oh my, brother! I’ve been waiting for you!!”

The Black Tiger Faction is a fairly large martial arts sect that divides Gaeyang in two, but compared to the name of the person who just arrived, it is as insignificant as a firefly, so it doesn’t seem to care about things like pride or self-esteem.

“uh?”

“… …!?”

At that moment, Cheonhwa, who was turning her head, met the eyes of the guest.

One of the two people’s eyes began to tremble.