As the day drew to a close during Sulsi, when people finished their work, unwound from fatigue, and began preparing for yet another morning to come [TL] Sulsi (戌時) refers to the period between 7 PM and 9 PM [/TL] The tavern was as noisy as any other day. The sounds of people drinking, laughing, and chattering, those who lost control of their emotions due to intoxication and started brawling, and the spectators surrounding them, cheering them on. And then there was the gambling table where some laughed while others wept. "Did you see that! Did you see that!! I won this one, right?!" "Aigoo, I lost again." "Hahaha! Had another great time today, Master Fortune Teller!" The man who had been playing against me patted my shoulder as he got up from his seat. I've gotten somewhat used to it, but mahjong is still difficult. If it were poker or blackjack that I'd played a few times as games back on Earth, I'd be more familiar with them, but there's no way such things exist in the Martial World. -Pat pat "My, my, lost again today? Hyung, I don't think I've ever seen you win." "Sometimes when heavenly luck is on my side, I do win. My win rate is probably around 20 percent." "Goodness, do you even break even with that?" "Do I gamble to make money? I do it for fun." I took a swig of the alcohol I'd ordered in advance. I could feel the sharp burn of alcohol traveling down my esophagus to my stomach. "Whew.." Now this is living. After enjoying all sorts of culture through the internet on Earth, then falling into this Martial World and being stuck in the mountains for 10 years, my current life felt like nothing short of heaven. "But hyung... I've been wondering something... You're a fortune teller, so why do you keep losing?" "Does it seem strange that a fortune teller who can see the future can't even read a gambling table?" "Honestly, it is a bit questionable." -Silence The atmosphere around us suddenly grew quiet. Sigh, did they have to hold their breath just because they were curious about that? -Slurp Well, it's nothing special. "That would invite Heavenly Punishment." I'm just doing what I need to do to live a long life. My goal is to live long and keep enjoying this fun life. I don't want to extinguish that spark by getting greedy. "If I really wanted to make money, I wouldn't be running a fortune-telling business, I'd be out there chasing fateful encounters and treasures. There's a reason I do things this way~. A sorcerer has their own struggles~." "..Well. I suppose it's not our concern." "Heavenly Punishment, huh.." I could hear murmuring from those around me. -Slurp I wondered what they were so curious about, but it was just that? "Originally, fateful encounters and treasures are predetermined by the Gods of Heaven and Earth. Isn't there a saying that heavenly luck only comes to those who are prepared? If a sorcerer like me dared to intrude in that domain, the Gods of Heaven and Earth would be angered. Heaven is sensitive to the greed of those who aren't prepared." "..." -Gulp I could hear people swallowing around me. They must all be deep in thought. Some might be hoping they're destined for a fateful encounter, while others might be getting cold feet about being greedy after hearing my words. -Smirk "Come now, come now. Why create such a heavy atmosphere in this pleasant tavern? Let's all just continue enjoying ourselves. Don't let the words of a mere sorcerer sway you too much." I raised my cup above my head to lighten the mood. I was worried they might not join in, but fortunately, several of the drunkards I'd become friendly with while playing around in Shaanxi raised their cups as well. "Cheers-!" Ah. I didn't know at first, but in the Central Plains, when someone calls for a toast, you really have to empty your cup. -Thud! "Phew--!" How can life possibly be this enjoyable? I wonder if I'll receive Heavenly Punishment later for this. "Meat.. alcohol.. this is truly living the good life.." "Hyung. To truly live the good life, you need women too." "Women, huh.." It's been half a year since I entered the Martial World, but I haven't embraced a woman yet. I could if I wanted to. I make enough money, and in my current circumstances, I could afford to hire two or three courtesans from a brothel at once. "..I'm not particularly interested in that." Still, I didn't feel particularly inclined to do so. Is it because of some aversion to women who sell their bodies? No. Even without that, I've had plenty of opportunities to embrace women. Since I spend every day at taverns and gambling tables, it's natural for men and women to exchange flirtatious glances when the mood is right. Some have approached me too. Women who could objectively be considered quite attractive. But I remember refusing them all. "..." -Slurp Why is that stubborn woman's face appearing in my mind at this moment? Here I am, finally escaped after 10 years and enjoying myself properly. 'Ah.' It must be because I got too used to her appearance and my standards became too high. Well, after seeing such a woman every day for 10 years, my eyes couldn't possibly be normal. Most women walking down the street looked plain in comparison. Even after finally getting out, she's still interfering with my life. "..." Just a little bit. Just a tiny bit Tonight's solitary bed would feel particularly cold. .
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. -Stumble stumble "Whew. Expensive alcohol really is different." What was it called again? Girl's Blush? They said it was usually too expensive to stock in taverns, but they got some in this time, and after trying it, it really did taste different from ordinary rice wine. If it weren't for the Silver Origin Treasure that Mount Hua Sect woman gave me today, I probably couldn't have afforded it either. 'Where did that old man get something like that from..' At that price, there would hardly be any buyers except heavy drinkers like me who don't mind spending money. Maybe he even got it specifically with me in mind. "Life is really fun.." There's fun in listening to clients' stories while fortune telling. Fun in seeing their reactions after the reading. The joy of making money, the pleasure of drinking, the entertainment of watching tavern scenes unfold, and the thrill of gambling. Though it repeats daily, it was my perfect daily routine. That's why I wanted to live longer. In this dangerous world. Live as long as possible. And continue enjoying these pleasures. 'They're quite naive to believe it..' It's a lie for survival. A weak sorcerer who hasn't learned any martial arts, who can't even confidently beat a normal person, needs to avoid catching the eye of the strong to survive in this world. Live as ordinarily as possible. Appear to have no special value. That's how one must live. 'The Gods of Heaven and Earth predetermined owners for fateful encounters and treasures? Heavenly luck only comes to those who are prepared?' It's all lies. In the end, fateful encounters are just fateful encounters, and treasures are just treasures. They're simply there, and whoever finds them takes them. This is just a measure to somewhat prevent those seeking fateful encounters and treasures from approaching me. As far as I know, there are no such restrictions. This isn't a case of 'if I can't have it, others can't either.' If word got out that I could tell others the locations of fateful encounters and treasures, I would no longer be able to remain just a 'somewhat skilled fortune teller.' That's why I tell these lies. It's an act for survival. That's who Shaanxi's 'Faceless Gold Ghost' needed to be. Can't be wealthy. They'll think I used my abilities to make money. Can't be strong. They'll think I used my abilities to find fateful encounters. Well, those are all just excuses. In the end, I'm saying I can't be wealthy after blowing money on drinking at taverns and gambling every day to enjoy life. I'm saying I can't be strong while not properly exercising, using my damaged dantian and poor health as excuses. Because no matter how much wealth or martial power I accumulate in this world It would be nothing more than child's play before the 'real ones.' '..Well, isn't it fine as long as life is fun?' Master, this unworthy disciple is enjoying the outside world well. There's so much more to enjoy than when I was in the mountains, and there are more people, so it's fun. But tonight, for some reason, I miss you. ..Are you doing well? * -10 years ago- [Um.. Master..? Where should I sleep?] [Ah. Now that you mention it, I only have one blanket.] [...What?] [I apologize, child. I originally came down for other business and took you in unexpectedly, so I couldn't prepare in advance. Well. The blanket is big enough for two anyway, so just come over here. Let's share it.] [...] [What's wrong? Don't tell me you think this woman has designs on your body?] [.....] [Don't misunderstand. To this woman's eyes, you look like a meju that fell from a rooftop.]

It was truly an absurd statement, but. At that time, I probably thought it could be true because of her overwhelming beauty. If someone was that beautiful, maybe I really did look that way to her. I think that's what I thought back then. [It's about time for bed, so I'll spread out the blanket in advance.] [Do that.] And as time passed... [Master, I'm already at the age of seven now, so I don't think it's appropriate to keep sharing a blanket with a woman. As they say, men and women should sleep separately after reaching seven of age...] [Then go chop firewood or hunt beasts yourself. I'll sell those and buy you your own blanket.] [...] Time passed... [Master, I've been having nightmares lately. I dreamed someone tied me up from behind and was touching my body. I'm worried it might be a bad omen.] [It must be a ghost. You must absolutely not resist and stay still.] Time passed... ..Looking back, running away was definitely the right choice.

Volume 1 - The Way of the Fortune Teller