489 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Ma Yang Baek was the worst of the worst. Even the renowned Mankeum Jeonjo was his maternal grandfather, yet Ma Yang Baek earned a notorious reputation as an unredeemable delinquent thanks to his mother's excessive attention. Yes, if Ma Yang Baek was deliberately killed by Yang Heo, there must have been some justification. Perhaps it was a bizarre hobby like tap dancing at 3 a.m. causing noise complaints, throwing hangers during fights to insult others, or forcibly raising his children in undesirable ways. But to claim he was killed for being a murderous fiend? Even knowing that Ma Yang Baek was a delinquent of the highest order, such a reason was difficult to fathom. "What, a murderous fiend?" "They're saying Kang Po Kae’s brother-in-law was a murderous fiend?" The claim that the victim was a fiend began to stir a heated commotion among the crowd once more. "You think I killed him for no reason? Ma Yang Baek!!! That guy was the real monstrous fiend!!!" Yang Heo, the implicated killer, shouted out his frustration to the surrounding audience. It's exasperating. Are you also a criminal with a tale to tell? The performance of selling a criminal's sob story feels like it needs a gloomy melody from somewhere. 一 Woo ooo Woo. Oooo ooo Woo. Why does it actually sound like that? "What are you doing?" "I used to roam around with Seer Ma Dam. In times like these, you need a sad tune to set the mood!" No, stop. Playing a somber song justifies the killer’s actions, implying the deceased had it coming. "Ma Yang Baek was a complete scoundrel throughout the realm." Is that killer trying to sway public opinion in front of me now? I can't let that happen. I quickly mobilized my small lower abdominal force. "A murderer's trying to spit on my brother-in-law's corpse now!!!" I shouted with a booming voice that echoed through the courtyard, ensuring people thought twice before considering Ma Yang Baek's death justified. "Ugh…!" I could feel the attention shifting from the killer to me. Public opinion is a battle of focus. As Yang Heo was taken aback, I swiftly continued to shout. "You've killed my brother-in-law and disguised it as suicide, yet now you speak endless lies while captured!" The truth of whether the killer is lying or being truthful is unknown, but why focus on that? I berated Yang Heo while persuading the crowd. "I’m just trying to say that I have my grievances!" Yang Heo argued back as if it were his final chance. "My late brother-in-law weeps in the afterlife in vexation! Meanwhile, the murderer seeks to defile the deceased in this world!!!" With the mention of the victim, the crowd nodded in agreement, a surefire tactic. Yang Heo bit his lips, glaring at me with eyes that could pierce through. Did he think I’d grant him the floor? ‘Who would benefit from rumors spreading that the deceased son was a fiend?’ Whether the guy is lying or expressing the truth, it’s essential to prevent bad rumors if I want to gain my aunt's favor. "That’s not it…!" "Silence!!! What are the constables doing!!!" The constables were the real problem. Why were they just standing around, enthralled by the unfolding drama? It's not enough to just bind him; they must also gag him. "Our apologies!!!" "Quickly, restrain him!" Yang Heo's mouth was finally gagged. Feigning an inability to hide my sorrow, I pounded my chest and looked at the crowd. "My brother-in-law treated me, black-haired as I am, as family with warmth!!! I've held back my urge to rip you apart countless times during your interrogation! Now you make the bereaved shed tears of blood!" All of this is a misunderstanding. That guy is lying. My fury is uncontrollable right now. Expressing it with my entire body, I had the officials looking at me with pity. "Tsk, tsk, tsk." "What is it? He was lying after all." "As they say, criminals are always proclaiming their innocence." "Remember that rapist we caught who claimed the women seduced him? Rotten bastard." "Indeed, criminal scum are never worth believing." "Mmph! Mmph! Mmmph!" Yang Heo, gagged and claiming injustice, seemed to shout something, but not a word made sense. ‘He can spill his motive to the interrogators all he wants.’ In mystery novels, listening to a criminal's tale, be it truth or lie, has no consequences. But with the family’s honor on the line, who would bother listening? Ultimately, Yang Heo's final words fell on deaf ears as my steadfast defense force remained strong. ——— "They say the murder was hushed up." "It was hushed up?" Yang He's motive was quickly uncovered in the interrogation room. "Apparently, the deceased Ma Yang Baek approached Yang Heo, promising him a hefty sum if he’d alter the record for the deceased Hong Gi." Woo Po Doo told me with a frown, as if it was unexpected. "Are you saying my brother-in-law did something despicable to a courtesan?" "That's what Yang Heo claims. But after all, it was just the lowly Hong Gi. No one would mourn him, so he agreed to falsify the report." "A so-called hearty man accepting money to tamper with evidence. He was rotten from the start." Where's your professional ethics? "The real issue arose after." "After?" "Ma Yang Baek used the fact that Yang Heo accepted money to blackmail him. He instructed him to handle more corpses brought his way. Ended up helping him a few more times, it seems." "……." I was at a loss for words. What a heinous delinquent. You take his money and then blackmail him? And manage more bodies? "On the day he killed Ma Yang Baek, he got another call to dispose of a courtesan. Yang Heo could've complied, but..." "It seems he chose a different route." Whether disposing of another cadaver or creating a new one might have been all the same to Yang Heo. "They say he killed Ma Yang Baek with a single strike to a vital spot. While Yang Heo wasn’t a skilled warrior, he was a seasoned operative. He knew how bodies worked and when to strike, especially with someone he knew closely. Attacking the blood spot on the back was easy during a moment of distraction." I nearly sighed but managed to hold it in. 'There truly seems to be no greater delinquent than him.' When Mankeum Jeonjo subtly criticized Ma Yang Baek, I wondered just how bad his grandson was. Technically, the responsibility for educating the grandchildren lies with the families their daughters marry into, so Mankeum Jeonjo isn’t directly at fault. Still, it seems excessive. Even though I didn’t want to understand, I can somewhat empathize with Mankeum Jeonjo’s desire to cling to anything, even if it’s an excuse. ‘Was Ma Yang Baek soothing his sorrows with a pleasure trip?’ If Yang Heo’s words are true, Ma Yang Baek’s month-long disappearance starts to make sense. He probably went on a courtesan tour to distract himself from his broken heart, yet his ingrained habits led him to mistreat Hong Gi. That is, of course, if the killer’s story holds any truth. “Murderers often lie to reduce their perceived guilt.” I didn’t sympathize with Ma Yang Baek, but I defended him by rationalizing that we shouldn't blindly accept a criminal's testimony. "You're right. After committing murder, what nonsense won't they spew to save themselves? Let me know if more details surface during the interrogation." "Thank you for your efforts today." “No, truly, I should thank you! Today reminded me why you’re hailed as a renowned detective!” Woo Po Doo clapped my shoulder with enthusiasm. “I was merely doing my best to clear my brother-in-law’s name.” “Criminals must wet their pants just hearing your name! Oh, before I forget, do you have time soon?” “What for?” “The esteemed Jiju Daein credits you for resolving this matter smoothly, and he seems keen on sharing a drink with you.” Here it comes. "I'm currently in mourning…" It's not like I'll be sharing drinks with a pretty lady. I'd rather put off drinking with a self-serving, corrupt man who’s grown fat on ill-gotten gains. “Of course, he understands! Jiju Daein is not unreasonable. He just wants to know when you’ll be available.” Seems unavoidable. Oh well, might as well earn some points while I’m at it. “Would you kindly inform him that I'll visit with you once my affairs are settled?” “With me?!” Woo Po Doo pointed at himself in surprise. "Wouldn't the drinking be more enjoyable if I shared the table with you, Woo Po Doo, whom I deeply respect?" You are just trying to fit into Jiju Daein's circle, aren't you, Woo Po Doo? Let me nobly arrange a moment for the three of us to drink. Making the most of unavoidable social encounters strengthens another network connection. “Oh, my friend…! Not only are you great at catching criminals, you have a knack for moving people too!” Woo Po Doo, perhaps a bit emotional, pressed his lip as he spoke to me. “Haha. You’re too kind. My grieving aunt worries me, so I should return to her.” "Indeed. You must be busy, so go on. Don't worry about what nonsense Yang Heo babbled today—I’ll make sure neither you nor your aunt suffer." “I’m counting on you.” “This friend of mine! Don’t mention it! If you encounter any trouble, just come find me anytime!” After being rapidly promoted from just “you” to Woo Po Doo's friend, I was warmly seen off as I exited through the door. —— “Have our esteemed detective finished with chores?” A familiar, friendly voice greeted me as I was leaving the government office. “Inspector Jeong Munwon?! What brings you here?” The man standing in my path was Inspector Jeong Munwon. “What brings me here? Isn’t this my workplace?” “Hahaha! Now that you mention it.” “Let’s head to my office for a moment.” Hardly had I managed to evade Jiju Daein when I found Inspector Jeong searching for me. Why are all my callers men? I thought idly as I followed the inspector. “What business might you have with me?” I gingerly asked the question after accepting a cup of tea from the inspector. “It’s about Jiju Daein.” Jeong Munwon spoke with a cautious expression. “Ah, I was just about to mention it in the coming days.” With the loan recovery wrapping up today, I intended to report it soon. “Heard the Daein’s paper mill transferred over to you?” “…….” An unexpected blow pierced me. Would he know even this? As expected of the inspector. I'd intended to speak carefully when the situation resolved, yet he’d delved straight to the core. "So it was true then." “I am embarrassed.” I bowed my head in apparent shame. I had a plausible justification prepared, but I couldn’t be shameless about it. Ultimately, I profited enormously from the inspector's efforts. Maintain the utmost caution and a humble posture. How should I broach this? While briefly contemplating my words, an unforeseen statement caught me off guard. “My goodness! Why are you bowing to me?! Don’t be disheartened! This is merely one opportunity among many. Stand proud!” “……Pardon me?”