463 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

EP.463 Request - 7 "Why suddenly call for the Inspector?" Sometimes, advice casually heard in passing can be surprisingly helpful. I smiled as I answered Jeon Gil San, who looked perplexed. "It's some advice I got from your maternal grandfather." "My grandfather? What is it?" "A method of solving money problems." There was a method that Mangumjeonju liked and I didn't mind either. ---- "I can't believe Hong Ran had such feelings for me..." When I shared everything I saw and heard at Hyewolru, Inspector Jeong Munwon was so shocked he was lost for words. "If it wasn't for you, she seemed like she had no reason to live." "The original plan was to buy her freedom and then become a guardian..." "What? You weren't planning to adore her after buying her freedom?" Did he really spend all that money just to give her freedom? "How could one purchase a woman's heart with money? My intention was to marry her off if a man showed up who she liked." Jung Moon Won shook his head with a bittersweet smile. It's like the sun is so bright I need sunglasses. You need to do this much to keep that troublemaker in line without getting ulcers. "In the end, since both of them were at fault, pay three times the original price for her freedom or take the money that was deposited. This is the offer I received from the entertainment establishment." "The conditions, which never changed no matter how much I pleaded, have improved a lot. You really went through a lot to uncover the details." Inspector Jeong Munwon bowed his head in gratitude to someone as insignificant as me. "It's for you, Inspector. So, what do you plan to do?" Will you retrieve the money and sever ties with Hong Ran, or will you pay three times over? The price for her freedom is a huge sum, so I asked with a hint of curiosity. "To me, Hong Ran was like the little sister I left behind in my hometown. But if she saw me merely as a man, shouldn't I respond as one?" In his eyes, looking at me, there wasn't a hint of doubt. "I expected you'd say that." His answer was so refreshing that it made me laugh. "I'm sorry. I understand your sincere concerns for me and the country. But even before you offered to help, Hong Ran stayed by my side. How could I ignore her?" No, I'm just looking to get the money back. "Of course. I believe in you, Inspector, because that's the kind of person you are." It was within the scope of my expectations. As I smiled at Inspector Jeong Munwon, showing my trust, he paused for a moment, taken aback, and looked at me. "...I feel bad saying this to someone who trusts me so much, but do you have some money?" I foresaw that too. My face is about to turn bright red. Don’t be too embarrassed. I have other plans rather than lending money. "I have a proposal for you concerning this matter, Inspector." Having seen his resolve, I continued. "A proposal?" "A proposal that will save Hong Ran. However, it may not be entirely palatable to you." "Let’s hear it." "Actually..." A method the Inspector might dislike, but one that was sure and would not tarnish his reputation. I revealed my plan to him. "...Do we really have to go that far?" "What is of utmost importance to you now?" I asked, looking directly into Jung Munwon's eyes, lips firmly set. Even the best method should be set aside if the chooser doesn’t agree with it. Hence, I asked. What is your priority? What do you most wish to protect now? "…Alright. We'll proceed as you suggested." Even for the esteemed Inspector Jeong Munwon, at this moment, what mattered most was the woman and child who loved him. ———— The method the Inspector hesitated to use — a sure way without tarnishing his name — was surprisingly simple. "Block all exits! Don’t let a single person escape!" 'This is just a legitimate execution of duty.' We were merely dreaming of using public authority infused with a slight personal agenda. In broad daylight at Hyewolru. Myself, many constables and bailiffs, and Woo Po Doo leading them all, stormed into Hyewolru. "Woo Po Doo-nim? Even with constables and bailiffs? Why here?" "There was a report of illegal activities at Hyewolru! The officials have come!" "Ah, Woo Po Doo-nim. Thank you for your hard work. Please, come here for a moment." The administrator of Hyewolru, as if this were business as usual, pulled Woo Po Doo by his sleeve. "Ahem." Woo Po Doo-nim, why are you looking for a cue from me? Shouldn't you be leading the charge here today? Eventually, I ended up with Woo Po Doo in a corner. "Woo Po Doo-nim. There seems to be a big misunderstanding about the bootleg liquor incident last time; we weren't aware. Ever since, we’ve been purchasing from different distillers." The administrator, as if trying to pacify, kept rubbing his palms together and nodding repeatedly. "You seem to know what you've done wrong." "How could we not? Here, for the hardworking constables today, enjoy a drink at a fine establishment. Shall we arrange something at Hyewolru?" "Oh, come on, don’t do this!" Woo Po Doo frowned, refusing the bribe that was being pushed into his sleeve with disdain. "Why, what makes you say that? Have we ever been stingy with you?" "It was never me! Wh-what's this talk for someone else to hear?" Woo Po Doo looked at me, claiming his innocence fiercely. The constable's income is usually meager. I get it. But seems like you've enjoyed such treats quite often, haven't you? "Woo Po Doo-nim?" "Ech! This won't do. Arrest every single Hyewolru employee!" Woo Po Doo shouted, like a cornered animal trying to escape. "What? Why so suddenly? Why treat us this way just for buying some bootleg liquor?" He's not wrong. Hyewolru is an establishment that purchased, not manufactured, bootleg liquor, which typically wouldn't result in severe punishment. Like how a film pirate might get severely punished, yet viewers rarely do. 'However, today is an entirely different case.' Why do you think one of the only two Woo Po Doo officers in the whole province came here? "The illicit liquor distiller bribed an official." I explained to the people at Hyewolru the reason for today’s visit. "What?" "The official bribed another, who then bribed yet another, weakening the state's finances." "What does that have to do with us...?" "The account ledgers of the distiller show that your Hyewolru funded their operations! There’s an order to round up everyone to see how deep the connection goes!" Root out the cause. It was initially daunting only because he’s such an upright and honest official. But for Inspector Jeong Munwon, who has immense authority to oversee any corrupt officials, it was an incredibly straightforward task. "Go on! Round them up!" "Yes, sir!" "Agh!" "I'm just a mere servant!" "Please, spare me!" "What in the world...?" What indeed — it's the power of authority. ———— "Constable Kang, the Hyewolru manager is awaiting interrogation." At Muhyeon’s local government office, all the affiliates of Hyewolru were bound and escorted away, including the manager of Hyewolru. "Thank you, Woo Po Doo-nim." I extended my gratitude to Woo Po Doo, who had tirelessly arrested everyone from the illicit liquor producer to the affiliates over the past few days. "Ahem. Constable Kang, about that..." Woo Po Doo gripped my shoulders with a firm grasp, gingerly lifting me up as I had been bent in a bow. "Yes?” Why are you looking at me with such a tense expression? "Well, I recently accepted a gift, not realizing its intent, you see..." Oh, is that all? "Ah, what are you saying? If I explain today's events, Inspector will surely appreciate your hard work, Woo Po Doo-nim." I reassured him with a subtle nod. "Right? Haha! Our renowned constable! Truly exceptional, how we got such a constable! Once you head in, I’ll ensure you two have privacy." "Thank you." Considering the meager earnings of constables, receiving bribes is an age-old affair. If not for Hong Ran's involvement, I wouldn’t have meddled in the small-fry corruption cases of minor officials. There was no need to mention this while receiving thanks. "Please, I rely on you. I truly do." No need to look at me so earnestly. I understand. After repeatedly reassuring Woo Po Doo to be at ease, I finally headed to the interrogation room where the manager of Hyewolru awaited. ---- "Not easy to meet someone like you in person." The manager of Hyewolru was a thin, middle-aged man in his fifties with a goatee. "Really, like this?" Recognizing me as soon as he saw my hair, the manager furrowed his brow and spoke to me. "Haha, what are you on about?" "You think I'm going to hand over Hong Ran over this?" The manager, clearly aware of why he was brought here, retorted sharply. "You’re here due to your illegal activities, not because of wild guesses." "For merely a few lashes and a fine, you've practically imprisoned me. How can you expect me not to be skeptical?" The manager raised his voice, protesting his innocence. "You misunderstand." "Both Hong Ran and the Inspector did wrong. I only quoted a fair price, yet this is how I’m repaid." The manager let out a cynical laugh. Sure, it’s true that those two were at fault. But you—you’re the one who escalated the situation. With my hands clasped behind my back, I began to circle him, speaking with a tone of derision. "Originally, I intended to sell her for double her freedom price. But when the Inspector came with the money so quickly, I got greedy. As I pondered, I came up with an ingenious idea. A way that could aid Hyewolru's recently challenged management." Where do you get off playing the victim? "What, what are you saying?" "After extorting as much money as possible from the Inspector, you planned to claim it was insufficient, didn’t you? Even when given four times the amount, your aim was to extort eight times more. And then, you planned to sell Hong Ran to another establishment after she bore a child, using that money to solve your issues." From the start, the manager had no intention of handing Hong Ran over to the Inspector. Up against Hyewolru’s financial crisis, he resorted to buying bootleg liquor, diluting drinks, and aiming to extort money from the two troublemakers. "How could you know?" "Who do you think I am standing in front of you?" "Constable Kang Yunho…" A man known for solving countless mysterious murders, thwarting the intrusion of the Silent Assassin, and nearly capturing the unrivaled assassin. Given the Inspector’s boundless trust in me, did you think I couldn’t figure this out? ‘In truth, the manager’s associates already confessed.’ Seems like you need to keep your people in check. They were singing like canaries before I even got to the interrogation room, making it easy to uncover everything. "If your crimes are proven, Hyewolru will have its licenses revoked." Licenses, meaning the permit for running business. "What nonsense is this! To revoke licenses! Are you telling me not to do business!" "This particular bribery case is personally monitored by the Inspector. All involved will face appropriate consequences, and Hyewolru won’t escape penalty either." "Are you serious! If licenses are revoked for buying bootleg liquor, this is an immense price for a minor wrong!" I stopped my steps directly in front of the aggrieved manager. I wiped the smile off my face and replaced it with a hardened expression; the demeanor of a constable handling a criminal instead of Kang Yunho. With that, I asked him: "And why? You think you're the only one wronged while the Inspector wasn't?” “...” The price he paid was excessive for the crime. Taste a bit of perspective. "Cool down, and we’ll talk again." In the end, the manager of Hyewolru was jailed. Reflect on the crime of mocking the renowned Inspector Jeong Munwon. And we’ll talk again. How soon do you think you’ll be willing to renegotiate? Barely a day back at your residence, and someone came knocking. "Lord Gimunhyangju requests your presence." "Tell him I’ll come this evening." ——— "Whooo..." Through the hazy cigarette smoke, a gaze pondering how to deal with his troublesome grandson settled on me. "I should visit more often for pleasantries, but it seems I'm always here on someone else's business, and for that, I apologize." I greeted Lord Gimunhyangju with a look that suggested even if I wanted to, I couldn't utter a curse to someone smiling. "Was my earlier proposal not to your liking?" "I liked it very much. I thought it was a very reasonable proposal." "Then why..." Why create unnecessary complications? The reproachful gaze from Lord Gimunhyangju landed on me. "It's not that I didn't want to accept it; I just wanted to do something else." "Something else?" "I couldn't stand the thought of merely nodding in gratitude because Hyewolru's manager had shaken Inspector Jeong Munwon's most important thing, even if only lightly." Indeed, the misstep in this matter belongs to both the Inspector and Hong Ran. Hence, I too believed that asking for three times the fee for freedom was fair. But then I thought again. The calculations seemed off. "Is that why you've escalated the situation?" It reminded me of a similar issue with the paper mill. One must follow the opponent's intentions. One has no choice but to plead for mercy and request a reduction in demands. Why is that? ‘Because they hold something dear to me hostage.’ Why must I comply with the opponent's proposal? Why am I trying to please them? How can I resolve this issue? The answer lay in the advice Mangumjeonju gave me. 一 Discover what is more precious to the opponent than money. Just because the other side holds something precious to you doesn't mean you must capitulate to their demands. Had I not already received this advice? Was I not aware of the method that Jangnoya used on me? It was the same method Mangumjeonju advised me. "If we both hold dear things as hostages, isn’t that when true negotiations can begin?" To bring the opponent to the negotiating table, simply hold hostage the most precious thing to the hostage-taker. Doing so... Now it was my turn.