457 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

EP. 457 A Request - 1 "Things have been quite tumultuous in Mohan these days." Amidst the heart of the Mangum Trading Company, Mangumjeonju spoke to Chonggwan while tending to the garden's flowers. "It seems the young masters lack experience with debt collection, causing grievances to emerge from various quarters." Debt collection is like wringing water from a dry rag. If not done with skill, the rag can tear. Those who view people as mere rags for their own gain end up becoming ruthless collectors, inevitably leading to public grievances. "While it's a merchant's fate to grow accustomed to the grievances of others, a curse that lingers in one's ears causes trouble for many," Mangumjeonju mused. In business, one must ensure that debts are not forgotten, but one must not sharpen the knife of resentment. Though lacking in many areas, he could not ignore concerns for his bloodline, his grandchildren. "I will subtly caution the young masters." "Yes. How is that young one doing these days?" Chonggwan didn't need to ask who "that young one" was. There was only one young man who had captured his master's attention. "He seems to be getting close to Samanggeom Jo Cheol." "Heh. Has he even realized Jo Cheol is on Mohan's land? Then there’s something to await." Even though they might seem less intimidating than high-ranking officials, they are still martial artists. Mangumjeonju was curious how Kang Yunho would resolve this dilemma. "Honestly, I never imagined Kang Gong Ja would choose to tackle the impossibility register." "It seemed he realized the only way to prove himself was to choose the impossibility register, the moment our eyes met." It had been a test of choice. From where I stand, there is little chance you'll recover the funds from the impossibility register. Decide swiftly. Who would dare to say otherwise? To step forward boldly saying they'll retrieve it from the impossibility register. His grandchildren hesitated to tackle the impossibility register, while the young man with black hair confidently stepped up. To succeed you, shouldn’t this be expected? Recalling the scene from the day of the test, a corner of Mangumjeonju's mouth lifted. "It was quite a day, trying to hide my inward surprise. Who would have imagined Jeon Gilsan would support Kang Gong Ja?" "Heh. That surprised me unexpectedly as well." It is pleasing when one achieves the expected outcome. However, when someone you’ve never expected brings an unanticipated result, it’s astonishing. "With all due respect, I thought he was no different from the other young masters. But that day, Gilsan Gong Ja was not the young master I knew." "Who else did Gilsan meet?" The only thing different for Jeon Gilsan, compared to other grandchildren, was meeting that young man with the black hair. "That's why it's more fascinating. Didn't they meet under bad terms? Yet at some point, he stood beside Kang Gong Ja." "Sometimes people meet benefactors who transform their lives in seemingly impossible ways. It was Gilsan’s fortune." "The transformed Gilsan Gong Ja places endless trust in Kang Gong Ja." "Among my grandchildren, he was the one with a keen eye from a young age. Though dulled by indulgence, he finally met someone to bring him back to focus. A person his own parents couldn't change, altered by that young man, my daughter will understandably be grateful one day." Recognizing a benefactor immediately upon meeting them and choosing to follow was indeed what changed Jeon Gilsan, but accepting that change was the work of his grandson. "Even though Kang Gong Ja seemed surprised, he didn’t appear displeased. Lately, I've been hearing they’re as close as old friends." "A hard-working lad indeed, but even diligent men cherish those who can laugh beside them and bring them a water jug when times are tough." While Mangumjeonju's eyes were on the flowers, their gaze held another depth. Chonggwan didn’t inquire what thoughts lay beyond those eyes. Having served Mangumjeonju for decades, he understood that the master missed an old friend, the head of the Baek family. Both had been exceptional businessmen with fiery passions in their youth. People who’d carry a water jug for each other even in their own struggles. "If he marries Jegal Hyang, the bond will be even stronger." Chonggwan gently encouraged Mangumjeonju, who seemed immersed in memories of the past shared with his old friend. "Heh. Let’s watch and see how soon Hyang entices Kang Yunho's heart." Surely, Jegal Hyang would take action, having been instructed to charm him. Mangumjeonju trusted in Jegal Hyang’s potential. "They will likely decide on marriage swiftly." “But what of Samanggeom Jo Cheol... can a person dedicated to leaving others intact truly retrieve someone else's money, I wonder.” Mangumjeonju nodded at Chonggwan's musings as he murmured. Debt collection, by nature, is an act bound to strain relations between people. Having to resort to distasteful measures to retrieve money, it’s fortunate when only the money is lost; often, it's both the money and the person that are lost. He purported to be a merchant who leaves people intact. Despite the young man’s confident words, this time, he would surely face difficulty. As Mangumjeonju pondered, a martial artist hurriedly dashed into the garden. "Master! Kang Gong Ja has successfully completed the debt repayment with Samanggeom Jo Cheol!" "Heh. He never fails to defy expectations." The martial artist shared a story so astonishing it brought a hearty chuckle from Mangumjeonju. ** "Ugh, I was so tense!" Having returned home after resolving the matter with Samanggeom, Jegal Sojeo sank into the plush living room chair, her voice dripping with exhaustion. "I can’t believe he actually retrieved the money." Jeon Gilsan marveled at me with awe and crossed his arms with a contentment that kept bobbing his head. Still, why did this fellow naturally make his way to our home? "Jegal Sojeo, you've truly outdone yourself. Without you, we couldn’t have even devised this plan." If Jegal Sojeo hadn't discovered that Jo Cheol hadn't yet written a promissory note, we wouldn't have been able to devise the plan in the first place. She played not only the role of an advisor to the plan but practically handled my tasks for me, becoming the most significant contributor to the success of the Samanggeom scheme. I expressed my gratitude to Jegal Sojeo. "It's no big deal, really." Jegal Sojeo looked away, seemingly embarrassed by my compliments. "Hyang, it wasn't just nothing. That guy there," Jeon Gilsan pointed out, "used the martial artists your grandfather provided as if they were debt collectors from Mangum Trading. And you're trying to brush it off with words." "Using our house guards is better than reaching out to Mangum Trading and owing them something. Samanggeom would've thought for sure that Mangum Trading had come to seize him." If Jegal Sojeo and I went somewhere together, it meant the martial artists Mangumjeonju assigned as guards had to accompany us. When Samanggeom brandished a weapon at me, the martial artists from Mangum Trading had no choice but to step in. If I then ordered them to hold off, they had to wait and observe the situation. To Samanggeom, the martial artists from Mangum Trading suddenly appearing would seem like debt collectors, and by calming them, I indeed positioned myself as a prospective son-in-law to Mangumjeonju’s granddaughter. This gave Samanggeom confidence in me and showed he couldn't harm me. That was why Jegal Sojeo and I accompanied each other to the inn. "Jegal Sojeo, you were of immense help in this matter." "I merely assisted Kang Gong Ja," she replied, her lips curving into a shy smile as she nodded. "Hyang, if you're grateful, suggest a nice meal together. Better yet, let’s book an entire tavern and have some fun!" Jeon Gilsan, watching our conversation with a disdainful face, suddenly made a proposal to Jegal Sojeo with a bold expression. "W-What? A tavern?" "Since Hyang is with us, playing with courtesans might be improper... How about I gather some entertaining folks for the party? A big, boisterous gathering! Hyang, you’d enjoy it, too! What do you think?" "A boisterous gathering...? Uh, well, erm..." Jegal Sojeo seemed hesitant, her gaze wandering from Jeon Gilsan’s enthusiastic suggestion. "You should just leave, Jeon Gilsan. Jegal Sojeo, let’s have a delicious meal just the two of us later." A noisy party with strangers... Why put Jegal Sojeo through that? "Heh, yes." As I blocked Jeon Gilsan and turned towards Jegal Sojeo, she responded with a bright smile resembling blooming white hydrangeas. "..." Such a surprise attack. My heart skipped a bit. "How mean! Don’t I get any praise?" Jeon Gilsan shook my shoulder, pointing at himself with a finger. "Alright. Good job. Off you go." "Where am I supposed to go...?" Jeon Gilsan sighed, indicating resignation, his complaint punctuated by stoic acceptance. "Head home, I guess. Rest up. We've all completed a task today, so let’s all get some rest." Appreciating his help, but isn’t he frequenting my place a bit too much lately? I’d like to spend the evening relaxing with Jegal Sojeo today. After my comment, Jeon Gilsan’s expression grew noticeably dark. "It's just..." "Is something wrong?" "...If I go home, my mother will be there." Jeon Gilsan muttered in despair, lowering his head. "..." The consequences of Jeon Gilsan abandoning his heir candidacy seem to linger. "She keeps saying, 'If you’re going to slack off, why didn’t you just take the exam?' And then comes the rain of ‘You rascal!’ alongside constant back-swatting. I don’t know if I’m a human or a training dummy! Staying at home makes my blood run dry! If you don’t pass the second test, both you and I will be in serious trouble with my mother!" It seems Jeon Gilsan’s treatment at home is akin to that of a slacking, self-proclaimed N-year civil service exam taker. "Why am I involved too?" "You resolved the impossibility register. Is this the end?" It seemed my rest would not come easily, not if his back was the cost. "You were given a month. One won’t cut it. There’s still time, so I’m planning to tackle more." Other candidates who attempted simpler registers might pile up more successes. To aim for first place, at least one or two more would be necessary. "The black hair in the register ends with Jo Cheol. Do you have a plan? I honestly couldn’t see a way out." "I’ve already laid the groundwork." "What? When?" "Along with resolving the Jo Cheol affair, I laid the bait in various places. The problem is, if they don’t react, I won’t have an answer." I had considered the possibility of failure with Samanggeom and started laying the groundwork right after I received the register. "Who are you targeting? One person? Multiple? Tell me." "Well..." As I was about to divulge my plan to Jeon Gilsan, Si Bi appeared in haste. "Kang Gong Ja, there is a guest who asked to be brought to you immediately if you were here." "They’ve arrived." ----- **The Impossibility Register.** Similar to Samanggeom Jo Cheol, the register was filled with individuals whose ability to repay debts was questionable. Among them were several familiar names, mostly the names of officials from Mohan, whom I had encountered during past activities with the Shadowless Divine Tower. But there was one surprising name in the register. Someone whose presence there was puzzling. “What brings you here today, Sir Inspector Jeong?” “I apologize for this, but... could you lend me some money?” Inspector. It was Jeong Mun Won.