459 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

EP.459 Request - 3 Cheong Gi was an idol in this era. In Giru, he established Gyo Bang, a residential academy for gisaengs, where they are nurtured and trained in dance, music, poetry, calligraphy, and education, so that they can entertain any guest who visits. Men derived pleasure from Cheong Gi, who were nurtured with years of effort, but there was one taboo they had to uphold. Maechangbulmaeum (賣唱不賣淫). They may sell their songs, but they do not sell their bodies. They are flowers to be admired and smelt, but never picked. Such were the Cheong Gi of this era. Before me stood a man who had picked a flower painstakingly raised by someone else for years. “I suppose you didn’t discuss this in advance with Giru…” “The only permission I had was for Hong Ran, for the girl’s external appearances.” The name of the gisaeng is Hong Ran, is it? Inspector Jeong Moon Won confessed to me as if admitting a crime. ‘You’ve caused quite a scandal.’ It’s not impossible to bond with your favorite idol. You could negotiate with Giru, accounting for the money spent feeding and housing them from a young age, education fees, the future earnings Cheong Gi will bring to Giru, and even the extra costs to purchase a miracle. Of course, Jeong Moon Won touched it before buying the miracle. “I doubt Giru would have remained silent upon learning the truth.” Cheong Gi are the property of Giru. Overnight, a product they painstakingly cultivated for over a decade has been tainted. Simply stating you’ll purchase a miracle because you’ve sullied them doesn’t resolve the issue. Consider an idol agency. From nurturing the idol to finally achieving success, what if the idol abruptly holds a press conference the next day announcing pregnancy and immediate retirement? Would the agency respond, ‘Well done, take care,’ and let it go? There are years left on the contract, and significant investments tied to marketing deals. A lawsuit would certainly ensue. It’s an issue related to the entire market. Giru is a place selling pleasure, not women. If men defile a gisaeng, and then the sullied gisaeng is sold to the man, the Giru business model collapses. “They mentioned they would use this incident to set a strict example, claiming the Cheong Gi have grown lax. Ordinarily, the repercussions should fall on me, but the girl will bear the brunt instead.” “If a common man violated the taboo instead of you, an Inspector, he’d likely be found as a corpse floating on the river the next day.” Harsh repercussions follow for those who break the taboo. If not for the fact that the man before me is an Inspector appointed by imperial command, powerful enough to bring down even mighty directives, there would undoubtedly have been revenge. “I’m aware of that. That’s why I requested time to gather the necessary money to resolve it.” So that’s why you came to me. “Even if you desired a child with your favorite, proper procedures should have been followed.” “It was a mistake of one night.” The Inspector bowed his head to my reproach, muttering with distress. “Yes. A mistake indeed. Drunk from alcohol, intoxicated by the ambience, suddenly the lips before you seem soft. You feel their touch, peeling clothes off, exchanging warmth until the affair concludes, waking up satisfied in sweat, only to realize with an ‘Oops! It was a mistake.’ Such a mistake.” “……” A mistake is hesitating to text a female friend and mistakenly sending it, only to be left on read, that’s a mistake. Tossing and turning all night, unable to eat dinner, and avoiding eye contact the next day in class, that’s a mistake. Claiming to have accidentally slept with a female friend is outright intent. I’d like to know how to make such mistakes, too. Such deceitful scumbags. “It was truly a mistake.” Jeong Moon Won murmured again, as if deeply wronged. “Honorable Inspector, at this point…” “I truly don’t remember it!” “What…?” What does that mean? ------ “You woke up and it was morning?” The story I heard from the Inspector was quite intriguing. “It’s true I was drunk. It’s true we found ourselves naked in the morning. But I truly don’t remember the middle.” “Could there have been some misunderstanding?” “Given the circumstantial evidence and her reaction in the morning, it seemed certain, but indeed, it was a mistake.” “Do you truly have no memory of it?” To engage in such a complex activity with no memory stretches belief. It could be an excuse. I probed the Inspector. “I swear it is true.” The Inspector’s expression bore no hint of falsehood, it seemed genuine. It’s a troubling situation. If the Inspector is at fault, I have no room to intercede. Whether under the influence of alcohol or ambience, their breach of the Giru contract was evident. The Inspector paying the compensation Giru demands is justified. The issue is, if that’s the case, I won’t be able to obtain money from the Inspector. “…By any chance.” I spoke with extreme caution, looking at the Inspector. There’s a significant gap in Jeong Moon Won’s account. Though he might not realize it, it’s a gap where I could extract payment. “Don’t even entertain such thoughts.” Jeong Moon Won scowled at me. “Honorable Inspector.” “I’m aware of your reputation as a brilliant detective. But there are thoughts that should be entertained and those that shouldn’t.” “Considering all possibilities is the detective’s duty.” I spoke in a determined tone, akin to a detective ready to declare the culprit was present. “Then close it.” I shook my head at the Inspector’s command. This issue must be addressed properly. For the Inspector’s sake, and for my examination. “No. Even if it makes me the villain, I must say it. The gisaeng may have orchestrated it. That night, perhaps nothing happened. Perhaps it was a scheme by the gisaeng. If my suspicion holds true, this problem can be resolved quite easily. “That is impossible.” The Inspector’s voice trembled slightly with emotion at my suggestion. “Honorable Inspector.” "She was like a little sister to me. Thanks to her, I managed to acquire some critical evidence. That evidence, along with the proof provided by Muyeong Shinto, led to the downfall of a once-mighty official. And now you want me to doubt her?” "There is a saying in Joseon: You may know the depths of water, but you cannot know the depths of a person’s heart.” Perhaps the gisaeng aimed to advance her circumstances by taking advantage of a naïve inspector, or perhaps Giru sought to exploit the situation for financial gain. "That girl’s eyes were closed once.” “Pardon me?” "When I first met her, she looked lifeless. Her mouth smiled, but she looked as if she might die at any moment. I remembered my younger sisters whom I’d left behind in my hometown, so I asked to borrow her, believing a bit of freedom might give her hope to live. She regained her expressions after that.” "You seem to have developed quite a profound relationship.” The Inspector’s voice bore affection towards the gisaeng, akin to the fondness one feels for family. "How could I harbor impure thoughts towards someone like that? And how could she possibly do such a thing to me? It was merely my mistake, and nothing more.” The Inspector’s conviction is unwavering. If it's too challenging to address directly, let's first gather some other facts. "Is the pregnancy certain?” "It is certain. She missed her cycle, and even summoned a physician.” “How much is Giru demanding?” “At first, they were willing to negotiate by selling a miracle, so I raised funds. But as soon as the pregnancy was confirmed, the price doubled, then quadrupled.” “They’re exploiting your vulnerability.” “If I don’t deliver the money, I fear for what might happen to Hong Ran and the child she carries.” Jeong Moon Won pressed his forehead with both hands, his voice genuinely filled with concern. "Have you given Giru all the money you had on hand and borrowed from Man Geum Jeonjang?” So this is the full story behind his indebtedness. Given the beloved gisaeng’s pregnancy, the Inspector must have felt unbearably vulnerable. “Yes. But… how did you know that?” “I’m the prospective grandson-in-law of Man Geum Jeonju. Not long ago, he mentioned an Inspector was failing to repay a loan, asking me to look into it.” “No wonder the entrance was guarded by martial artists from Man Geum Jeonjang. Your network is unfathomable… Yes, I borrowed the money at a low interest rate, but missed the deadline. I am shamed.” “There’s no need to apologize to me.” “So, would you lend me some money?” The Inspector lowered his head to me with an expression full of contrition. "I can lend it to you. But they don’t intend to sell at all. Their goal, now that the incident has occurred, is likely to make an example after causing as much trouble for the Inspector and the gisaeng as possible.” "I understand the situation is desperate. Yet, it’s my responsibility. I must do everything I can, right?” What should I do? Lending money to the Inspector would earn his favor. However, there is no guarantee that lending the money would resolve the situation. Moreover, my objective is to recover the loan the Inspector acquired, not merely to gain goodwill. I cannot simply stand by. “May I try to resolve this?” “You think you can? If you’re implying suspicion of the girl, then…” "You don’t need to harbor any suspicions. Let me carry the doubts, that’s all.” How could you doubt someone dear to you? Sometimes it’s necessary for a level-headed detective to evaluate a case. I gazed at the Inspector, appealing for his understanding. “……” Uncertainty flickered in the Inspector’s eyes. Given the dire situation, refusing help is not an easy choice. Let’s push a little further. “Handling troublesome cases is part of a detective’s job, wouldn’t you agree? Even if both parties are at fault, they can be brought to an appropriate agreement.” Even if it’s true that the two caused the incident, I’ll try to mediate. In this world, detectives sometimes act in the magistrate’s stead, using their authoritative power to resolve simple civil disputes. This proposal ought to entice the Inspector. “Hmm…” Jeong Moon Won seemed on the verge of acquiescing, letting out a contemplative murmur. Good. I pulled out two objects familiar to the Inspector from my possessions. “Why the baton and the rope…?” Placing the detective’s symbols, the baton and rope, before the Inspector, I knelt on one knee and looked up at him. “Would you permit me to act as a detective on your behalf, Inspector?” Let me borrow your name. As a famed detective, I shall resolve your predicament. Inspector Jeong Moon Won studied me for a while, then lifted the rope before him. “I entrust this to you.” ** Problems related to gisaengs are not my specialty. For the Inspector’s case, I needed someone who could provide insight. Fortunately, I had a contact well-versed in Giru matters and decided to seek advice. “You’re asking if I know a gisaeng named Hong Ran? Do you know who you’re talking to? In the entire city of Mu Han, there’s not a Giru I haven’t visited or a famous gisaeng I haven’t met. Of course, I know her.” Jeon Gil San boasted, gesturing proudly with his thumb to indicate himself. “How boastful.” I mused with a bittersweet smile, unsure whether to be amused by his extensive knowledge of gisaengs or concerned for his mother’s probable distress should she discover his misadventures. "If high-ranking officials in Mu Han are renting out large chambers for entertainment, Hong Ran is usually standing in the lineup alongside other prestigious names. Her presence is delicate, but she ranks among the best at least to secure a spot at the lower end.” “Really? That’s quite something.” So, she’s like a member of a leading girl group with a memorable presence. “But why are you asking about Hong Ran? Wait, don’t tell me…” Why are you looking at me like that? The object of your affection, Mae Hyang, ranks far below Lady Jegal, so why would I become infatuated with a gisaeng? “The Inspector impregnated Hong Ran without so much as a word.” I revealed the facts with a weary sigh. “Are you out of your mind?!” Even Jeon Gil San, who enjoys his leisure, had an instinctively visceral reaction. “He claimed there were circumstances, what do you think?” I shared the story I’d heard from the Inspector and my own thoughts. "It's not entirely impossible..." Jeon Gil San propped his chin with one hand, pondering my words for a while before eventually nodding. "Is that so?" "Well, it's not unheard of for Giru to try cashing in due to financial troubles or for a gisaeng to pin a mishap on a wealthy man." "I see, that's what you mean." So, it wasn't entirely far-fetched. That’s good. "What now? It's a mere possibility. If the Inspector really did commit the misconduct, it wouldn't be something we could meddle in." "I'm not planning to over-invest in this issue either." Time is of the essence. I have one month. The matter with Samangeom already consumed considerable time. Even if the gisaeng or Giru is scheming, I can't simply wait for evidence to surface. If the Inspector's fault is confirmed, pursuing this could be a wild goose chase. One way or another, a miracle will need to be purchased and compensation paid. "So what?" I’m not about to cling to a slim possibility. That doesn’t mean there are no options. No matter how intricately tangled, sometimes a single decisive stroke can unravel even the most complex knots. "We go head-on. Lead the way to Giru."