Chapter of the Seven Peaks Inn
The Seven Peaks Inn was a living legend and a goal for those in the innkeeping industry.
The inn’s palace halls towered higher and larger than the battlements of Nangyang, capable of accommodating over a thousand people. Given that most inns experienced by ordinary folks could barely hold a hundred, this was truly an immense scale.
But it wasn’t just one hall – there were a staggering seven arranged in a ‘ㄷ’ shape! Although there were taller buildings in Nangyang, the imposing presence of these giant halls felt like seven mountain peaks rising from the forest of structures that was Nangyang.
“This place can be described as eight buildings in total: seven massive lodgings and a dining facility, all laid out in a square shape.”
“Yes, I’ve heard of the famous reputation of the Seven Peaks Inn. But why do you think there are potential comrades here?”
“Because Seven Peaks Inn is currently the worst choice among respectable inns in Nangyang. So naturally, only foolish folks who have never set foot in Nangyang will gather here.”
“What? Why is that? It’s a famous inn; shouldn’t they at least meet some basic standards?”
“Under normal circumstances, it might not be that bad. But right now, the situation in Nangyang is a bit special, and considering the peculiarities of Seven Peaks Inn, it stands to be the worst inn.”
Jang Yi began listing the drawbacks of Seven Peaks Inn.
“First, the food does not taste good.”
Even though the inn wouldn’t be full all the time, it still had the capacity for a thousand. So, what about the food at such an inn?
With so many people, they couldn’t take individual orders and cook on demand, so bulk cooking was the only option. And this mass cooking was bound to degrade the food quality regardless of the cook’s skills.
What is the most familiar and popular cooking method among people of the Central Plains?
Stir-frying, of course.
However, stir-frying required strength to shake the pot and mix the ingredients, which made bulk cooking impossible. Thus, cooking methods had to switch to steaming or boiling, leading to food that had little chance of being tasty.
“A place with tasteless food isn’t attractive. Therefore, Seven Peaks Inn sought to compensate for its lackluster appeal with a spectacle.”
There was a stage surrounded by the eight buildings. On that stage, high-level performances were held to lift the frowning expressions of diners by showcasing delightful acts.
They invited performers recognized for their talents even in the heart of Nangyang to entertain guests, which was a unique advantage of the Seven Peaks Inn.
“And today, that advantage of performances will not be presented. They’ll probably just call in some ordinary musicians to fill the time with music.”
“What? Why not? So many people have gathered from various regions; isn’t this an opportunity to further elevate the name of the Seven Peaks Inn?”
“With no competitors around, why should they invest too much in promotion?”
This was why monopolies were frightening.
The fees for performances by renowned artists in Nangyang were expensive. And only the massive Seven Peaks Inn could afford to call in artists and still make a profit.
With no rivals, their focus would turn to saving rather than spending. Especially on a day like today, when the inn was already fully booked with guests who came to hear Geum Myeong-wol’s announcement, why bother hiring performers?
“And this is an opportunity.”
Whether or not there were performances, the stage at Seven Peaks Inn would likely echo with nothing more than mediocre music.
“If the stage is empty, one could seize the chance to step up with wit and charm.”
The possibility was plentiful.
Though Jang Yi was not a professional storyteller, the tales he had to share would surely be more captivating than those of ordinary musicians or an empty stage.
If only he could get on stage, he would have a chance to captivate over five thousand listeners at once!
With high hopes, Jang Yi arrived at the Seven Peaks Inn.
Just as he suspected, the stage had only two rather unremarkable musicians performing, prompting him to clench his fists and rush toward the Guard Warriors stationed nearby.
Jang Yi introduced himself as a storyteller and expressed his desire to take the stage and share what he had seen and heard, a request that smoothly made its way to the innkeeper.
“Not possible.”
The situation was not unfolding as Jang Yi had hoped.
“I assure you, I have confidence! Surely it would be a topic of interest for the guests?”
“The stage at Seven Peaks Inn is not open for just anyone.”
The innkeeper’s demeanor changed the moment he learned of Jang Yi’s anonymity, causing Jang Yi to feel puzzled.
If they had called forward an ordinary performer, wouldn’t they have allowed a storyteller with an engaging topic to take the stage?
“Sir Innkeeper, just give me one chance. After all, it wouldn’t be difficult to fit in my storytelling temporarily to fill the time for the musicians you called in.”
“Hey! You’re speaking foolishness! The selection of performers at Seven Peaks Inn is always strict. How dare you speak so carelessly!”
Watching the innkeeper shout angrily, Jang Yi realized the true intention behind his words.
It was clear that the decision to place unremarkable performers on stage today was a sign that the innkeeper had hoped to spotlight any decent artists who might come forward.
But acknowledging that they had chosen to host unremarkable performers was an entirely different matter.
Jang Yi was a completely unknown artist.
However, if they were to put an unknown artist on stage, they would be admitting that the musicians currently performing were worse than a nobody with a buzzworthy story.
“Guards! Get this guy out of here!”
Realizing how far his thoughts had traveled, Jang Yi’s shoulders slumped in defeat. His lack of skill combined with the mere whimsy of his topic meant that stepping onto the stage was impossible from the start.
As he blankly watched the brutish Guard Martial Artists approach with hostile expressions, he suddenly noticed the Hat-wearing Guy standing beside him step back in an attempt to avoid the approaching guards, stirring a sense of guilt within him.
He felt sorry that his reckless actions had brought trouble to an unintended person.
“Wait a minute!”
Just as Jang Yi thought that and grimaced, the Hat-wearing Guy froze in place, extending both arms. The guards faltered momentarily at the sharp, commanding shout and the outstretched hands. The innkeeper’s voice cut through the moment.
“What are you doing? Hurry up and get him out!”
But the innkeeper’s reprimand never reached its conclusion.
At the moment the Hat-wearing Guy’s hands crossed, a coin landed between each of his fingers, momentarily stunning everyone’s consciousness.
The guards, the innkeeper, and Jang Yi all shared the same question:
“How?”
It wasn’t a slow crossing; it was so quick that they didn’t even blink, and suddenly, how could there be coins wedged not just in the palms, but also between his fingers?
“Join!”
With a powerful shout, just as the Hat-wearing Guy extended his crossed arms forward again, they could only swallow hard.
Two coins!
One between the index and middle fingers of each hand, and one between the middle and ring finger on each.
He had waved his hands with a motion akin to a martial arts technique, and how could coins appear in the span of that?
Jang Yi, as well as the innkeeper and guards who had witnessed various talents and skills over the years, had never seen anything like this.
The Hat-wearing Guy slowly drew his hands toward his chest. As his arms bent in what looked like a cross, the four began to watch intently, as if something extraordinary would occur once the hands crossed again.
After all, coins had appeared when his arms crossed before. Would there be an addition of another coin between the ring and little fingers now?
As the two slowly crossed, they unknowingly held their breaths. And in the next moment, spotting three coins wedged between the still-connected fingers drew gasps of disbelief.
“Haha, how does that look?”
The innkeeper snapped back to reality at the Hat-wearing Guy’s question and cleared his throat. Only then did he realize how foolish he had been, trying to dismiss someone who could exhibit such astonishing talent.
The Hat-wearing Guy, carrying the moment, nonchalantly performed a flourish.
“I fear I’ll be kicked out soon, so I showcased a modest trick.”
*Cough.*
The innkeeper coughed awkwardly, suddenly realizing that the Hat-wearing Guy was skillfully crafting tricks and making a spectacle without the need for acknowledgment.
When did it happen?
What happened to the six coins that had been skillfully placed between his fingers, and how did his hands suddenly become free?
It was truly baffling.
“Just one trick isn’t sufficient to determine the quality of a performance. If it’s alright with you, I’d like to demonstrate a few more tricks. Would you grant me permission?”
“…Please have a seat.”
A short while later.
A special performance was about to begin on the stage of the Seven Peaks Inn.
*
“Ugh.”
Bong-pal grimaced at the cheap liquor that dripped down his chin. He tried to mask the bitter taste with some side dishes, but the mushy, soggy texture only fueled his irritation.
Even a ten-year-old nephew knew that side dishes needed to be stir-fried. What kind of cook was this to produce food like this?
And why did the music sound so pathetic?
He had heard that the performances at the Seven Peaks Inn were top-notch, yet the music reaching his ears was no different from what he had heard growing up in his hometown.
Nothing was going right today.
Bong-pal thought, downing his drink with a gloomy expression. He had barely made it to Nangyang in time upon hearing the rumor that Geum Myeong-wol would clarify the suspicions surrounding the Inspector.
But the announcements he had heard at the proclamation square were nothing he expected.
Geum Myeong-wol was truly Hyeok Gi-rin and also the rightful heir of the Imperial Family, Princess Yuya? This conclusion was something he hadn’t even begun to imagine, leaving Bong-pal in a daze as he absorbed the news.
After receiving one shock after another, he finally dragged himself back to the inn only to find conversations swirling about Geum Myeong-wol, making his mind even more restless.
With no good side dishes and a subpar performance, Bong-pal’s mood was absolutely horrible.
Trying to dissipate his gloom by downing liquor without any side dishes, he suddenly realized that the pathetic music had ceased altogether.
Turning his gaze toward the stage, he saw the Hat-wearing Guy he remembered standing there.
“Hello! Fellow martial artists of the world! I’m about to show you some talents!”
Bong-pal thought as he watched the performer.
A performer wearing a hat?
For performers, fame was everything. So why was this person hiding the most crucial part of their identity, their face?
Curiosity sparked within him due to the peculiarity.
Could it be that a proper performance was about to commence? It seemed he was not the only one thinking this. Those nearby discussing Geum Myeong-wol and those resting in their rooms leaned out of their windows.
However, the anticipation quickly shifted to disappointment.
The Hat-wearing Guy tossed and caught three cups.
Throwing and catching items was something one could regularly see even at a rural market; it was nothing remarkable at all.
Moreover, to toss and catch only three cups? Surely, a child could achieve that with just a bit of practice.
“Boo!”
“Get lost!”
A chorus of jeers erupted in Seven Peaks Inn. Some shouted profanities instead, but the Hat-wearing Guy continued as if unaffected, waiting for the jeers to subside before he spoke.
“Haha! If you find this trick mundane, why don’t you throw your cups at me? I’d catch whoever they fly from!”
“Then catch them!”
A drunken patron hurled a cup towards the stage. However, it merely rolled away without arriving at all. Yet the Hat-wearing Guy took a step forward and kicked it up.
Seeing this, more patrons threw their cups onto the stage. The Hat-wearing Guy skillfully kicked each cup that landed on the stage, and as the number of cups in his hands increased, the audience’s gasps grew louder.
“Wow! He handles so many cups so freely while walking steadily!”
“What a difference in skill! He is indeed a performer from Nangyang!”
Dozens of cups traced complex arcs through the air, and the Hat-wearing Guy danced across the stage to collect more cups that threatened to drop, proving his balance and mastery.
By now, no one could count how many cups were spinning above his head. Finally, the Guy kicked up one cup and shouted.
“Twenty cups!”
Those who heard him shouted as they approached the stage with their cups in hand.
“Let’s see just how many you can manage!”
The Hat-wearing Guy kicked up the cups flying toward him and called out, “Haha! Good! Twenty-one cups!”
People moved closer, cups in hand. The Guy, seemingly with eyes in the back of his head, effortlessly kicked each one thrown from all directions. With every additional cup he added to the mix, the admiration from the audience grew.
“Thirty cups!”
“Forty cups!”
Now, it seemed as if they wanted to see him fail, with cups being thrown all at once. Watching the Guy deftly managing the cups drew Bong-pal’s attention completely away from his liquor.
Then a crisis suddenly approached the Hat-wearing Guy.
Cups were being thrown simultaneously from both front and back.
There was no way he could catch two cups with one foot!
How would he overcome this obstacle?
“Whoa!”
The Hat-wearing Guy’s response was astonishing. To catch the two falling cups, he employed both feet simultaneously.
He jumped.
“Whoaa!!”
“Amazing!”
Despite stomping out an added layer of cups with his hands steady, the Guy swiftly caught the two additional cups, shouting, “Fifty cups!”
“Waaaaah!”
While relishing the loud cheers, the Hat-wearing Guy began lowering the cups one by one. The sight of him displaying flourishes while a staggering fifty cups lay out on the floor drew applause from Bong-pal deep from his heart.
“Wow! Now this is a performance!”
“Indeed, there’s a reason the Seven Peaks Inn is so renowned for its performances!”
As the thundering applause filled the room, the Hat-wearing Guy gazed out toward the windows where he could see audience members enjoying the show, shouting, “If you want to enjoy the rest of the performance, you should come closer!”
With just that statement, a rumble erupted from inside the building. People surged forward, and Bong-pal, who had been sitting near the dining area, glanced back and forth at the abysmal side dishes and cheap liquor before dashing straight toward the stage.
Clearly watching the show of that Guy seemed far more valuable than the vile food he had been stuck with.
As people poured out of the various buildings, the Hat-wearing Guy raised his hand high into the air.
In that hand, the coins already mounted one upon another, sparkling brightly.
The stage that would become the legend of the Seven Peaks Inn was about to begin!
