490 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

I had agreed to assist the Inspector General, and Jeong Moon Won had promised to act as my shield. However, the issue with the paper mill was somewhat awkward to bring up. Jeong Moon Won, the Inspector General, despised the corrupt official Gu Juk, yet managed to persuade him and then cunningly devised a plan to seize control of the paper mill. But now, he urged me to lift my head proudly. What could that possibly mean? As I raised my head with a puzzled expression, the Inspector General looked at me knowingly. "I promised to be your shield, but I was curious. How could a mere black-haired constable dare to stand against the landlord chief? I hold you in high regard, yet anyone who heard this would question your sanity." "Well..." "I know everything. You stood up for the suffering Koreans at the paper mill, isn't that right?" ... I had orchestrated it to get the money back. "I knew it." Jeong Moon Won nodded with a knowing smile. So, that's how it is. He thought I took action for the sake of the Korean people. Yes, even though the landlord chief and the Inspector General knew I was taking the successor exam, who would believe a lunatic would orchestrate a strike just to make the landlord chief pay back? "How did you know?" There was no need to correct the misunderstanding. I pretended to be caught and deliberately let my voice quiver. "The workers at the paper mill shouted it loudly enough in the market. How could I not know? Upon further investigation, it became clear. You were leading the Koreans living in Wŏn." "Lead? They're just black-haired folks with nowhere else to go, doing menial jobs in Wŏn. I simply try to keep them from starvation, away from wrongdoing." Did he find out I was the head of the Korean Residents’ Association? Even better. It’s true I engage in some charity work for them. "Yes. I’ve heard the Koreans praise you. Seeing the people at the paper mill being whipped like slaves, someone like you would surely be infuriated." I’m helping because it benefits me, not out of some grand sense of duty. Yet, seeing the Inspector General’s sympathetic gaze, I felt a need to empathize. Recalling the frustration of entrusting a beloved piece of gear to a nearby blacksmith with a 90% repair success rate in an online game, only for it to break, I channeled that sense of grievance. "People left their homeland to make a living. They came to the central plains to live with dignity, yet their lives here are akin to slavery...Really...really...! I could not bear it." "I understand. Although they are people of the central plains, discrimination based on hair color is the unfortunate reality." "Despite the undeserved reputation I have in Wŏn, I am, in reality, nothing but a small business owner and a mere black-haired constable. Meanwhile, the owner of the paper mill was an uncompromising man..." I had worked two hours a day throughout my childhood to buy that equipment with game currency! Why did I lazily pick the closest blacksmith? My gear was broken, and yet, there was no one to complain to. Channeling my frustration and sadness over my lost gear, I spoke. "I can only imagine how frustrating it must have been for you. Realizing the truth, it all became clear to me why you sought my help." "My plan was to shake things up from below, draw attention to my compatriots’ suffering, and with your help, strike back at the landlord chief. But he turned out to be exactly who he was." "He summoned you, didn’t he? What did he say?" "He threatened me, saying if I didn’t halt the protest, he’d sell the paper mill to the martial artists." With deliberate restraint, I bit my lower lip as if forcing down my anger. "To the martial artists?" "The landlord chief said, let's see what becomes of your compatriots who caused the commotion." "Gu Juk made such a threat? For an official expected to oversee all people on behalf of His Majesty!" Jeong Moon Won frowned with displeasure at the landlord chief’s threat. "I thought I had him cornered and met him confidently... but it was my mistake." "That greedy pig couldn’t have devised such a scheme on his own. There must be someone providing him with such tactics." That someone is me. "All I could do was ask for the help of Man Geum Jeon Ju to acquire the paper mill that was up for sale. Really... really... I am ashamed." I bowed my head as if unable to meet his gaze. "My friend! Why bow your head? Didn’t I tell you not to? Lift your head proudly." "How could I possibly lift my head?" When I didn’t raise my head, the Inspector General grabbed my shoulders. "You stood up in anger against injustice, rallied for your compatriots, and courageously faced the rotten parts of our nation. Despite being just a constable, you stood against the mighty landlord chief!" I tackled what seemed the hardest challenge because I thought it would immediately earn me acknowledgment from Man Geum Jeon Ju. "I failed." "Failed? I'm proud of your spirit!" "As a result, only my own belly grew fatter." "You...! Do you think I hate all wealthy people because of me? Have you seen me as such an official?" Inspector General, I guess you’re unaware of the nickname corrupt officials have given you. "Of course not. I just feel guilty myself." It seemed like I almost had him convinced, so I ended with murmured remorse. “I’ve heard that you offered the paper mill workers unbelievable conditions?” "People must live as human beings, mustn’t they?" "You gave them a significant raise, offered a day off every ten days, and allowed them to take a full break every two months! I worry that your paper mill might go bankrupt, yet you blame yourself for filling only your own belly! Compassion surely has limits!" "Inspector General…" Barely holding back tears, I scrunched my forehead and looked at him. "Don't be disheartened. Stand back up. You didn't lose to one person; you saved over a hundred Koreans. Let us think of it that way." If the Inspector General thinks so, I have no complaints. --- "I truly regret what happened to your brother-in-law." After I finished my newly served tea, the Inspector General spoke cautiously, assuming my emotions had settled. "At least we caught the criminal." I nodded with a bitter smile. "Your late brother-in-law would have applauded you today. I've heard of the famous constable Kang Yunho, but seeing you in person, the rumors seem to have underestimated you!" "Were you watching?" No wonder he was waiting for me. "I've never seen such skill in my life...! It was like fortune-telling with physiognomy, as if you instantly recognized someone at a glance!" "It's just a small trick." I happen to be a VVIP member of Hao Gate, so they bring me information quickly upon request. "I heard you learned by following renowned constables in Joseon, right? They called you ‘Sealbreaker’ or something." "It was just a nickname given when I was annoying the constables as a child." Did he overhear what I told the gunpowder head? I gave a wry smile, feigning embarrassment. "Seeking masters from a young age, learning and acquiring skills; it’s no wonder you're called a famous constable here in Wŏn." "Compared to them, I’m merely a drifter who can hardly be called a renowned constable." It's only when there's a locked-room mystery on every trip or someone gets poisoned during a meal that experts gain recognition. "Your humility is commendable...! When you asked the criminal, 'Who am I?' even I unknowingly erupted in cheers!" "Haha. Thank you." "By any chance..." "Is something the matter?" "I'd like to ask a favor... could you show me?" Jeong Moon Won looked away shyly, cautiously avoiding my eyes as he made his request. What is he talking about? Could it be? "You mean reading people at a glance?" "I'm just so curious." "Hahaha." "Please, don't feel pressured." What am I supposed to do? It’s like asking me to perform magic on the spot. I'm not a real detective, so how can I pull this off? Unable to ignore his expectant gaze, I scrutinized him briefly. Nothing unusual, but... 'Aside from looking more tired than before... Ah-ha!' Suddenly, I recalled a piece of information known only to me. "I think it would be best if you eased up on nightly activities." "Wha—what do you mean?" Judging by his reaction, I was right. I did mention he seemed tired. "After all, I heard your second wife is still in the early stages of pregnancy..." "I w-wouldn’t do that to Hongran! She insists she’s learned some things from her sisters, so she’s been, well... No! What am I saying right now?!" "Hahaha." "How embarrassing to behave so in front of a famous constable who’d request such a thing." Jeong Moon Won sighed with a smile, as if thoroughly defeated. "As long as you’re happy." "But how will I explain this to my wife at home..." "Why not send her a letter, like I do?" I'm afraid of the reply too, but I sent one anyway. "A letter? I'll consider it. In any case, thank you for your hard work today. I kept someone in mourning for too long." "On the contrary, I’m relieved of a burden. I'll take my leave now." "Safe travels home." --- "People like Constable Kang should be in governance to support this country, yet it's overrun with sycophants..." Jeong Moon Won gazed out at the nightfall as he recalled the extraordinary exploits of the black-haired constable he had never seen before today. 'I thought he sought to satisfy personal greed when he asked me to be his shield.' For the nation. For his fellow countrymen. To stand against the mighty landlord chief. I had thought of turning a blind eye to some slight personal gain since he helped me. But to think he would pull something so unimaginable. Jeong Moon Won lamented the fact that someone of his calibre had no greater aspirations in the service of the nation. "Inspector General, has Constable Kang left?" A clerk entered the office, asking. "It’s not proper to keep someone in mourning for too long." "When you have a drink with him next time, please invite me. I'll buy the snacks if I can just hear Constable Kang's stories!" "I'll consider it." "You promised! By the way, are you reporting something at this late hour?" The clerk, concerned that he might have to deal with paperwork due by today, asked cautiously. "I was writing a letter." "A letter... Ah, yes. Writing a letter is indeed a good idea if you want to avoid having your hair pulled out when you return." The clerk, knowing about the Inspector General's addition of a second wife, squinted and smiled knowingly. "I'm sure there will be many reports to handle tomorrow..." "Haha! You're too much! I'll take my leave now. Don’t forget to send that letter to your wife before you leave, Inspector General." "Alright, you go." Having acknowledged the delighted clerk’s departure, the Inspector General turned his attention back to the letter he was composing. Fearless before the landlord chief and unshaken even in the face of dismissal, Jeong Moon Won was vulnerable only before his wife. How should he explain this? Revising the letter, a task he hadn’t struggled with even for civil exam essays in the past. "Since I'm writing a letter, I might as well pen another." With newfound resolve, Jeong Moon Won finally completed his letter to his wife and refilled his ink for the next. It was serendipitous. Witnessing the thrilling moment when the famed constable interrogated a suspect and uncovered the criminal right within the official premises. And then, receiving the advice to write a letter to his wife from that very constable who seemed to know everything. It filled him with courage. Invigorated by this, the Inspector General felt motivated to write a letter to someone. [Hope you are well.] [The palace feels too confined. You once asked me to share interesting stories from beyond its walls.] [Being someone not particularly known for excitement, I seldom found reason to write. Yet, it was never entirely forgotten.] [Recently, however, I witnessed an intriguing incident firsthand, prompting me to send this letter.] It was a letter addressed to someone within the palace. *** Anyone please if you're trying to convey a message to me please reply to the 'Soothsayer' on the novel page if not I will most likely miss it.