467 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

--- Episode 467 - The Paper Mill - Part 1 The inspector-general himself had willingly agreed to serve as a shield. "The problems are piled high, but there's only one person to tackle them." The ultimate card to reclaim funds from the list of Buddhist leaders was in hand. Who should they try to collect money from? How should it be done? It was time to consider these questions carefully. "You've worked hard, brother-in-law." Jeon Gil San addressed me while sipping tea as I scrutinized the ledger of Buddhists intently in the living room. "Are you moving in at this rate?" You're arriving earlier and earlier. Soon, you'll be asking for breakfast as well. "People need to rest sometime. I feel like I'm working too hard lately. From the Tri-State Examinations to the inspector-general. Aren't I practically the most valuable aide? At this rate, I may not be Jeon Gil San anymore but instead become Zhang Liang." Jeon Gil San's shoulders looked like they might lift to the sky. His smug laughter while drinking tea was hard to take, and though I appreciated the help, I found myself wanting to deny his claims. "You came over just to slack off, didn't you?" "Where else can one see something more entertaining than gambling and drinking every day than here?" Unfazed, Jeon Gil San nodded and willingly admitted to my accusations. "...It's a problem. A problem." "Forget my problem, solve that one first." Holding his teacup, Jeon Gil San spoke to me cautiously as if puzzled. Oh, that problem? It wasn't surprising. In one corner of the living room, Jeon Gil San had cast a wary sideways glance. "Uuuh... no matter what, it's not... my fault. No matter what..." Jegal Sojeo was muttering darkly to herself, exuding an aura that made it hard to approach her for conversation. Jeon Gil San, puzzled by his cousin's behavior, asked me why she was like that. "Well, after the inspector-general left, I explained the situation to her." The incident with the inspector-general had been handled well. From a direct confrontation, Jeon Gil San's exploits, the appearance of Kang Po Kwe, the tense moments preventing a suicide attempt, to threats and negotiations. I had expected Jegal Sojeo to respond well to my brilliant achievements. Well done, she might say, but since yesterday, she's been oddly gloomy. "You explained everything in detail?" Jeon Gil San asked incredulously. "Why?" "Tsk tsk. You don't understand women. Didn't you consider how Hyangyi would feel hearing about how you were frequenting a brothel, massaging Hua Yue Louju's calves, and snuggling up to her face?" "Are you spouting nonsense?" I didn't massage anyone's thighs. She was like a grandmother. This fool is talking recklessly. "Why? Does it sound like a lie?" Jeon Gil San rebutted with a serious expression. "...Really?" Oh, this guy. He said he pretended to be unconscious, didn't he? Could I have made a mistake while unconscious? "Who knows?" When I asked with a surprised expression, Jeon Gil San gave me a cryptic, sardonic smile. It can't be. Even if it is, it can't be. Asking further would only play into Jeon Gil San's pace, so I decided to focus on the present. "Anyway, it was for work." I protested, sighing, while Jeon Gil San pulled me aside to whisper, ensuring Jegal Sojeo wouldn't hear. "Being honest isn't always the answer in romantic affairs. Which fiancée would like to hear you proudly say you were frequenting a brothel while leaving her at home? This could have been glossed over, yet you explained it all?" Did I inadvertently recount tales from my military days, like football stories? Young man Kang Yun Ho. Though I didn't know the path to success in winning a woman's heart, I knew how to fail. I always got cut off at the entrance confession, thus, I knew nothing about the world after romantic confessions. "Jegal Sojeo." Though I was a shock, Jeon Gil San's words made sense, and I sought to correct my misstep, approaching Jegal Sojeo. "Uuuh... huh?!" Jegal Sojeo, emitting an unintelligible groan, stood up with a flustered face as I approached. "I wasn't considerate enough." I apologized immediately. "Pardon...?" "Even if it was for work, I failed to consider Jegal Sojeo's feelings. I deserve to be reprimanded." Caught up in my success, I didn't understand the intricate and complex feelings of a woman. 'Come to think of it, Ha Yeon Sojeo insisted on accompanying me to the brothel each time, and now it makes sense.' Even when I assured her she didn't need to come, Ha Yeon Sojeo always tagged along. I thought it was simply because it was my duty as a part of the Gimun. Clearly, discussions must have transpired between the two women. If so, it makes sense. Jegal Sojeo, understanding that it couldn't be helped due to work, would have been uncomfortably troubled. Knowing her personality, she would struggle silently without addressing it to me. "Pardon? No, no?! That's not it!" Jegal Sojeo clenched her fists and shook her head fervently. "...Were you upset because of me?" Weren't you displeased with going to the brothel? "Oh... It's not that..." Jegal Sojeo couldn't meet my eyes. "...?" What was it? As I waited for her answer with curiosity, Jegal Sojeo, her face down, spoke shyly. "I, I didn't help at all with this incident..." "I see." "Ha, Ha Yeon unnie went as well, and I couldn't...! Anyway, I should have helped more. It seemed like Young Master Kang did everything alone..." Jegal Sojeo looked dejected, as if she felt guilty. So that was it. Ignoring my unnoticed efforts and how I suffered too, I put on a gentle expression towards Jegal Sojeo. "I specifically arranged for you to rest. It's not that Jegal Sojeo was unhelpful." "But still..." Suppressing my laughter as Jegal Sojeo displayed an expression akin to a puppy feeling guilty over a trivial mistake, being just the adorable, insecure girl she was. Had Jeon Gil San not been there, I might have impulsively just hugged her tight. Even if I continued to tell her she did nothing wrong, she might continue to blame herself due to her personality. How should I resolve this? Alright. There is a way. "Honestly, I felt a bit disappointed these past days." I turned my head slightly, speaking in a mildly sulking voice. "Is that really how it is?" Oh no. At my single remark, Jegal Sojeo's head looked like it might sink to the floor with guilt. I immediately knelt down, looking up at the bowed Jegal Sojeo as I continued speaking. "Coming home to see Jegal Sojeo's bright face was my joy. You've taken away my joy for a few days, you know." I flashed a playful smirk at Jegal Sojeo as our eyes met. "What?! That, that, that's..." Where are you trying to run off to in such a panic? I quickly held her hand to keep her from running. "To me, Jegal Sojeo's smiling face is far more helpful than that fellow over there." I gestured with my thumb toward Jeon Gil San behind me, keeping my gaze locked with the frozen Jegal Sojeo. "Really?" I promptly confirmed her uncertainty. "Yes, really." She might not understand how precious it is for someone used to coming home to a dark, empty house, turning on the computer with their big toe, to have someone waiting with a smiling face under a lit door. "Um... even accepting it so easily, it hurts a bit." Jeon Gil San, be quiet. A peculiar glow colored Jegal Sojeo's face. The tactic seems effective. On to the next step. "Ah?!" I spun Jegal Sojeo around as if we were playing a game of ring-around-the-rosy, causing her hesitant smile to bloom. "Jegal Sojeo's smiling face is the best!" I affirmed her enthusiastically, trying to lift her mood to the maximum. "What? Ah! It's not that big of a deal at all!" Yes, but your mouth suggests otherwise, as your lips curl upwards. "The number one contributor to the Tri-State Examinations! Our household's top contributor!" "No, I don't think I did anything to deserve that!" A small laugh escaped Jegal Sojeo's lips. "Jegal Sojeo is the best! You're great at painting! You're smart! And your smiling face is beautiful! The best! The best!" "Ah! Let go of me! Haha!" But contrary to her words, her hands were quite honest. Jegal Sojeo held on tightly, as if she had no intention of letting go. Endless positivity. For someone who gets hurt over small matters and gives significant meaning to minor actions from others, endless positivity is the key. Acknowledging even the smallest actions and heaping praise on bigger ones, consistently expressing gratitude, allows such people to live energetically. "Hahaha! I'm completely revived." In the end, Jegal Sojeo's face bloomed with a radiant smile. "If we go out together from now on, it'll be even better!" "Um, I don't think it'll be possible." She immediately turned serious. "Ah..." Is that beyond the limit? Jeon Gil San laughed heartily, holding his belly at the scene. "Heh heh. You could go straight to Myung Jung Mountain like this. Your aunt at the Jegal family would welcome you with open arms." —— "Kang Hoi Joo, what about the paper mill issue?" Since the morning problem was resolved, it was time to get back to work. The chief secretary came to the office at the mansion and inquired about the unresolved issue from a few days ago. "What if we purchase it through another company at Yichang?" "It would be much more expensive than directly buying and sending it from Wuhanc." "For now, insist that they release the contracted quantity. They're not common thugs; they should adhere to the contract." "If we persuade and cajole them, we might manage to send supplies on this trip to Yichang, but the problem will persist in the future. It would be best to meet someone before writing the next contract." "Alright. Let's ensure it moves along without delay. You may go." "Yes, I will take my leave." "The issue remains. It's a concern." I grumbled, rubbing my forehead. "Just get the handcuffs ready! Let's cause some havoc again." Jeon Gil San seemed unable to forget the taste of the previous commotion at the brothel, suggesting an opportunity to do it again. "Stop it. It's only effective sometimes, and once you're seen as a corrupt official, you won't even get back what you invested." I argued, shielding myself with the inspector-general behind me. I held a 100% usage cover letter, so it wasn't going to happen. "What does it matter? Let's flip everything over and get treated once. I get to see Mae Hyang again, and you can massage Hua Yue's thigh once more. Isn't that great?" No, I told you I didn't do that. Stop acting like I did. "What? Hua Yue Louju?" Jegal Sojeo, who was handling documents at the desk, widened her eyes in disbelief at the statement. I glared sharply at Jeon Gil San. One more word and you’re banished permanently. Brother-in-law. That was a mistake. Next time, let’s go secretly. Going secretly is still a problem. "Ah, it's not like... just saying. Hahaha." Jeon Gil San laughed awkwardly, but there was still an edge of suspicion in Jegal Sojeo's eyes. "Jegal Sojeo. Could I have that list related to the Buddhist leaders I asked you for?" I got up, gently tapped the back of Jeon Gil San and asked Jegal Sojeo with a smile, which finally made her nod in reassurance. "Here you go." That was a close call. "Are you selecting the next target? Now that you're backed by the inspector-general, can't you just demand the money from the officials?" "You can't just storm into any place and say, 'Give me the money! I've got the inspector-general at my back!'" Let's be reasonable. "Why not?" "They wouldn't even grant me an audience if I said I came to get money back. I'm just a foreigner with black hair, and they're high-ranking officials." They'll scoff at the notion of a barbarian mentioning the inspector-general and I'd get kicked out at their gate with no results. "What's the plan then?" "Thankfully, I have a prearranged strategy just in case." I waved the document Jegal Sojeo had given me with a satisfied smile. "You mean the task you assigned to the Koreans living in the area?" "Yes, that's right." Before I even started work on Sam An Gyeom's deal, I had prepared several contingencies in case everything went south. "What is it?" "I'm going to solve the paper mill issue and the problem with the Buddhist leaders all at once." There’s a method that can be immediately applied. "What? How?" "This is a list of paper mill owners in Wuhanc. Take a look." I handed one of the documents Jegal Sojeo had given me to Jeon Gil San. "Why is this highlighted in red? Oh?! Gu Zhu? That name sounds familiar..." The name highlighted in red was the final target for the Buddhist leaders' ledger this time. Someone whose dealings I could utilize to the fullest by leveraging my position as a constable and the backing of the inspector-general. A key player to conclude this trial once and for all. "Gu Zhu is the landlord's name." "What? You're not suggesting...!" The name that instilled fear throughout the Buddhist ledger. "Yes. This time, we're going after the landlord." The next target was the landlord.