How can a martial artist make money?
The easiest way is to lend a sword for money.
In the martial arts world, people who do this are called assassins, ronin, and the like. You can think of them as a type of mercenary in fantasy. Most of these people tend to live lowly lives, often just surviving a day, leading to a shorter average lifespan.
If these martial artists accidentally gain a chance or talent to reach a higher level, they become retainers for other sects. They gain affiliation, receive convenience, and lend their strength as retainers when it’s important.
So how do the sects, not just the martial artists, make money?
The so-called Nine Great Sects & One Alliance, which are prestigious orthodox sects, have plenty of means to earn money. Most of them act like religious organizations, receiving many donations from wealthy individuals, officials, and believers.
They also own numerous fields, and the rents and produce from these lands become the sects’ property. Depending on the situation, they might even run businesses while charging fees to accept disciples and teach them martial arts.
When it comes to these reputable sects in martial arts novels, money isn’t a huge concern. However, this only applies to well-established and large sects.
How do little sects like the Sword and Spear Sect in Chilgok County, which can barely keep their heads above water, make money?
They might take in disciples for a fee or run a business, but if that doesn’t bring in much, what should they do?
The best method is to collect protection money from local businesses.
From troublesome customers, drunkards, young hoodlums, to the Black Knife wielding blades. Small sects patrol the streets in the unstable martial arts world, solving merchants’ issues and protecting them while receiving regular payments.
But saying “we won’t protect you if you don’t pay” crosses the line.
“Yoon, you brat.”
Then why are the orthodox sects there?
“We lend our swords when the rightful price is paid. That’s why we call ourselves an orthodox sect while wielding our blades, but not against the common folk.”
I recalled what Yoon, that brat, said that day.
No, swinging swords at anyone is crazy. What’s the difference between the White and Black blades? If the oppressed common folk need a delivery service, they should get a sword pulled out for them, right?
Is that what you consider fair?
Then I’ll show you my way of proper treatment.
——————
“To be or not to be, that is the question!”
With a booming voice, I opened with a famous line. The large crowd was suddenly captivated and began to focus on me.
Yoon, that brat, was surprised by my loud voice, his eyes wide and mouth agape as he stared at me.
“My father has passed away. He was assassinated by a monster! The heir of my father has not gone to me but to my uncle.”
Though all my thoughts were on Yoon, my lines flowed effortlessly. Indeed, the mouth has muscle memory.
“The voice of the storyteller sure is clear.”
“Who could that monster be?”
“From what I heard last time…”
“Oh! You there! Is there anyone here who hasn’t heard this story?”
“I’m sorry! Don’t look this way everyone! It’s scary. I won’t say more!”
Yoon was focusing on my words just like the audience, unaware of the disaster that might unfold before him.
As I moved into the dialogue of my uncle and stepmother, I entered the angry part of the Hamurin Prince.
“Oh heavens!! Did you see that scene?!”
I voiced the Hamurin Prince, gesturing to the audience, not the heavens.
“I want to kill those damn scoundrels right now!! What do you think?!!!”
Usually, I act angry for show, but faced with targets I truly want to kill, the rage in my lines was palpable.
“Kill them!!!”
“Tear them apart!!!”
“My father weeps from the grave!! Hurry and kill them!!”
“Only kill my uncle, let my stepmother survive!”
“Huh? That sounds good.”
“Step-mothers are pretty, right? Just kill my uncle!!! Step-mother, urgh!”
“What are these idiots talking about? Just kill them all!!!”
“Oh. Listening to this storyteller makes it feel like my father really died.”
“It feels quite real, doesn’t it?”
The audience reacted more intensely to my rage. Yeah, they should die. They must die.
“However, oh heavens, even if I kill those scoundrels, there will be no evidence, and I will also be sentenced to death. After all, I’m the monstrous child who killed my mother and uncle. But if I can gather evidence from the scene of my father’s death, I can kill that scoundrel!!”
Now’s the time to use the Donation Technique that determines the storyteller’s daily income.
“The heir’s assets are those filthy scoundrels’ wealth. I can’t use filthy money to avenge my father. Oh heavens!! Please!! Grant me my travel expenses!!”
I quickly dashed down below the platform and took out my donation bowl. Normally, I would walk around in front of donors with the bowl in hand.
But today was different.
I just needed to kill one of them.
“Oh heavens!!!”
I approached straight toward Yoon, not sparing a glance at anyone else.
I usually wouldn’t come this close. I prefer to keep some distance for everyone to toss money.
“Huh?”
Yoon seemed slightly flustered when I extended my bowl right in front of his chest.
“Oh heavens!! Without funding, I won’t be able to go to my father’s murder scene!!”
You’re my heaven from today, no, my fool. You little brat.
Hand over the cash!
“I have it here.”
Yoon surprisingly handed me the money quicker than expected. His reflexes are quite sharp for a martial artist.
But it’s stingy. Why are all the coins black and dirty?
This isn’t nearly enough for what I experienced that day. Plus, I was quite hurt mentally that day.
As I accepted the money, I casually pretended to use the Donation Technique in front of Yoon while naturally doing it for others as well.
I’ve already threaded the first button. Although I would like to empty Yoon’s pockets, I can’t let him realize I’m targeting him just yet. It would be a big deal if he runs away before I can mark him as prey.
I got up onto the platform again and resumed my performance.
Yoon was trying to focus on my story again, looking somewhat sullen.
Does this feel like it’s coming to an end?
This is just the beginning, you brat.
“Oh my heavens!!!”
As I approached Yoon for the next usage of the Donation Technique, he exclaimed,
“Why are you coming back in front of me again? You just got something!”
“I just came to the nearest place because I ran out of travel expenses!!! I lack the strength to walk forward any longer!!”
I acted like I was staggering, pretending I couldn’t go further.
“Here it is!!”
Yoon took out money from his pouch again and threw it into my bowl.
Once more, this donation was just coins. He really lacks awareness. Continuing this way, do you think I’ll stop?
“Ugh! Thanks to the heavens, I’ve regained my ability to stand! I’ll push a little further!”
I gaily wandered about among the crowd, gathering money.
“Oh my heavens!!!”
My fool!
“Why do you keep coming back to me? I’m not giving you anything!”
“Oh heavens! Are you rejecting help right now?”
“I said I’m not giving it!”
“Ahhh! You really won’t give help?!?”
“That’s right. Go get it from someone else!”
Yoon pointed at the other audience members watching this scene. Sure, collecting money from them isn’t easy, but that’s not the current goal.
I’m going to empty you out.
“Ah… is that so.”
I slumped down the few steps of the platform, sitting there and gazing at the heavens without saying a word.
“What? Why are you sitting? Don’t you have more to say?”
“What’s the storyteller doing!”
“Are you angry at the one who just said he won’t give you money?”
As I stopped speaking, people started getting angry. If it keeps going like this, the arrows of their anger will turn towards me.
I need to redirect their fury back at Yoon quickly.
“The heavens have forsaken me!!! I’m a person unworthy of living!!!! To be rejected even the tiniest help, I want to give up on everything!”
I shouted dramatically toward the sky.
Listen, folks! If that brat doesn’t give me cash, I won’t perform!
“That brat! What’s with those coins that are worth nothing? Why not just pay!”
“If you’ve listened, then pay up already!”
“The person sitting in front is listening best, why isn’t he paying?”
People started firing arrows of anger without hesitation at Yoon.
“Alright! Stop insulting him! Here are some coins. Take it!”
Yoon could no longer withstand the barrage of criticism and reluctantly handed me the coins.
“Oh heavens! I’ve gained the strength to live!! Now I can move forward!”
I accepted the money from Yoon and casually collected from areas where I had not collected before.
“Look! I’ve taken out the assassins sent by my uncle! However! I’ve been injured and need treatment!”
Look at that little brat, he’s clever.
As I tried to head back down, I noticed Yoon shifted from the front to the middle of the audience. He probably thought he was getting ripped off all the time at the front.
Does he think I wouldn’t go after him now that he moved?
“Oh heavens!!!”
I brushed past the people to stand right in front of Yoon again.
“No! Why are you coming back to look for me again? Did you intentional come to the front?”
“I’m just seeking the grace of the heavens!!!”
“I can’t give! I’ve already given you three times!”
“I won’t return without the grace of the heavens!!!!”
“Hey! Quickly pay up! The story won’t proceed!”
“If I’m armed, do I have to pay?”
“A person who earns well can’t be this stingy.”
“Uugh.”
Yoon’s face turned red with fear at returning to receiving another barrage of criticism, and he quickly withdrew money from his pouch to toss at me.
Huh?
Wait, wait?
The coins he tossed into the donation bowl weren’t the usual colors.
“Wowww! Yoon Dae-hyeop from the Sword and Spear Sect has donated silver!”
“Today must be lucky for the storyteller! How envious!”
“Since the story’s interesting, there are also viewers giving silver!”
Whoa, really?
Not just one or two but plenty? I had planned to scam money, but I didn’t expect this much.
Working hard as a storyteller usually only gets you coins, not silver.
What Yoon did was similar to tossing a 50,000 won note to a begging homeless person on the subway without a second thought.
I really should provide some grateful reaction.
Did they really find my story interesting enough to give silver? I looked at Yoon, smiling joyfully.
“Oh, no. That’s not what I meant to give.”
Yoon was clearly agitated, his eyes wide and mouth agape as he reached for the silver coins already gone into the bowl.
“Oh dear.”
I swiftly held the bowl tight against my body.
“No! I gave you the wrong amount! Hand it over!”
Does this kid not know about ‘no take backs’?
Yoon, flustered, was ready to grab at my collar to take it back.
Did he really give them by mistake?
Then I should give them back.
I have that much decency.
“Oh heavens!!! Ah! Oh heavens! Are you trying to take away the money from an unfortunate youth who has lost his father?!! Ahhh!!! Oh heavens! That’s fine!! Go ahead and take it!!! I will just die here!!!”
I bellowed loud enough for all the audience to hear.
“Ah, no. Just take back the money I gave and I’ll give you change.”
Even with my menacing threat, Yoon kept reaching for the bowl.
Wow. So shameless.
He’s nothing like me, a guy who wouldn’t protest even when a hairstylist messes up my hair.
Then I’ll make him feel more embarrassed.
“Oh heavens! If you take my blessing, just take ALL my funds! I will just die here!!!”
Ignoring that I’d dirty my clothes, I flopped down on the dusty ground. Then, I placed the donation bowl on my chest.
Go ahead and take it if you can.
“Hey! Don’t you know about ‘no take backs’?”
“You can’t take back money that you’ve given!”
“Why are you stopping a good story?!”
“If the story ends like this, it’ll be your responsibility, Yoon Dae-hyeop!”
As I lay sprawled out on the ground, people began to shift their anger toward Yoon again.
As the audience’s anger reached a boiling point, Yoon was seething, trying to hold back his rage.
Can you take it?
If you do, I’ll just head back to the tavern as is.
The fallout from this will be on you.
“Fine! Take it! If you come back to me again, I’ll never give you anything!”
In the end, Yoon gave up.
“Oh heavens! I will spread news of your kindness for three generations!! Thank you!!”
I got up, dusted off the dirt from my body.
“Hey! Storyteller, take this money too!”
“I’ll give you a little!”
A few audience members who hadn’t thrown any money yet began reaching for their purse.
I waved my hand to stop them.
“Keep it! There’s plenty of grace! I will rush to the scene!”
“A storyteller who rejects money! His character is definitely correct!”
“Wow! The story is interesting, and he has principles!”
“Ugh!”
Yoon let out a sound of disgust, but no one paid attention to him.
“Keep it! The grace overflows!”
Holding the donation bowl high, I returned to the platform, keeping the audience from throwing any more money.
Wow. With this much money, I’ve already exceeded my daily earnings.
Yoon Dae-hyeop. With this level of donation, I’ll promote you again.
I looked at Yoon, grinning widely. He glared at me with clenched teeth, full of rage.
Are you angry?
So what will you do about it?
Hey, Yoon Dae-hyeop.
I have no intention of forgiving the one who stabbed my heart this much.
It’s straight to the next operation.
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