Devil’s Music

Chapter 43: The Third Encounter with the Dead?

Certainly! Here's the translated text:

John Lennon took off his coat and hung it on the hanger, asking, "Yoko, where's Sean?"

Yoko, carrying a boy who looked about five years old, came out of the room and said, "He's here with me. Sean, Daddy's here, right? We had a guest. Hello?"

Geon politely nodded in greeting to Yoko. Yoko, seeing the eastern-style greeting after a long time, handed Sean to John and greeted him with a smile.

"Oh my, Japanese?" Geon said, tilting his head.

"I'm Korean, Mr. Yoko," Yoko nodded with a smile.

"I see. Oh, I'm different from other Japanese. Although I'm from Japan, I've lived abroad since I was young. Just like John, I'm also against war. I don't like Japan, my home country, which has caused so much suffering through war. So, I don't dislike your country, known as the Republic of Korea, not Korea."

Geon lightly tapped Sean's bottom and said, "Ah, Korean? Don't hate Yoko; she's my beloved wife. By the way, I didn't even know your name when I brought you into my house. What's your name?"

"It's Geon Kim, Mr. Lennon. I'm sorry for not recognizing you. I never thought I'd meet John Lennon of the Beatles on a bench in a New York park. I admire you, Mr. Lennon."

John laughed after handing Sean back to Yoko, saying, "Ah, so you know me. This restores a bit of my dignity, haha. Yoko, since we have a guest, can't we offer something to eat?"

As Yoko laughed and headed to the kitchen with Sean, John gestured for Geon to take a seat on the sofa.

As Geon sat down, John said, "I don't know why, but I sense a scent of music from you. Are you also a musician?"

"Can you smell that too?" Geon asked, slightly surprised.

John chuckled loudly, "Hahaha! You're a teasing friend. I just guessed, that's all, hahaha."

Feeling teased, Geon blushed and scratched the back of his head.

Geon and John started chatting while eating the pie Yoko had brought.

"Mr. Lennon, as you guessed earlier, I want to grow up as a musician. I'm not at a level where I can confidently say I'm making music yet. Do you have any advice for me?"

John took a bite of the pie, smiled at Geon, and said, "How about this? Let's give each other advice. We'll each share something."

Geon chuckled awkwardly, "What advice can I give Mr. Lennon in my area?"

John wiggled his index finger and said, "Oh, your area is music, right? You can advise me in any other area, whatever that might be. Deal?"

Geon nodded understandingly, "Yes, but I might not be of much help. Don't expect too much, haha."

"Alright, deal's made. So, about musical advice, when you make music, what do you think? Do you aim to create good music or to earn money? What's your approach?"

"In truth, I haven't made music myself, Mr. Lennon. But if I did, I'd want to create high-quality, outstanding music. Something that could become a masterpiece and gain recognition from critics."

John stood up from the sofa, looked out the window with his arms crossed, and said, "You're wrong."

Seeing Geon's confusion, John continued, "Yoko is Japanese. So, she's heard a lot about Japan's historical periods. There was a famous warrior named Oda Nobunaga in ancient Japan. Then there was Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and also Tokugawa Ieyasu. They sequentially ruled Japan."

Seeing Geon nod as if he knew, John continued speaking.

"Ever heard of the tale of the 'bird that doesn't cry'? There was a gathering where Oda Nobunaga composed impromptu poems, expressing thoughts on a given premise. Once, the theme was 'What would you do if there was a bird that doesn't cry?'"

John raised a finger and said, "Oda Nobunaga, known for his aggressiveness and innovation, replied, 'Kill the bird if it doesn't cry.' A harsh answer indeed. He was the most powerful leader and could ruthlessly deal with his subordinates for his cause."

Raising a second finger, John continued, "Toyotomi Hideyoshi said, 'If there's a bird that doesn't cry, make it cry.' Also, a strategic answer. He was the one who led the invasion of Korea, as you might know. He didn't hesitate to use any means to achieve his goals."

John raised a third finger and said, "Tokugawa Ieyasu said, 'If there's a bird that doesn't cry, I'll wait until it does.' This illustrates his patience. He subdued himself and waited, ultimately seizing power. In Japanese history, Tokugawa Ieyasu is the epitome of patience."

Finally, raising a fourth finger, John asked, "So, what would my answer be, Geon?"

Geon, appearing uncertain, looked at John.

John, seeing Geon's hesitation, turned away from the window, looked at Geon, and said, "My answer is, 'If there's a bird that doesn't cry, I'll sing until it follows.'"

Geon seemed to understand, and John added, "Music that doesn't consider the listener is merely a feast for a few critics. Music traces back to ancient times, from primitive percussion instruments. It existed for joyful dances after hunting or to mourn the dead. Music made without considering the listener's emotions is trash."

Geon felt as if a thousand lightning bolts struck his mind.

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