498 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

EP.498 The Third Trial - Part 4 A loan shark isn’t wealthy. While some might wonder how a moneylender could lack money, most loan sharks are close to being small-time self-employed workers who make their living through tough means. Merchants operating a trading post, officials steadily receiving a salary from the state, inn owners, or martial experts well-known in the murim (martial arts world) all have the credit and repayment ability to seek out an official bank like Mangu Bank. Those who lack credit or repayment ability turn to loan sharks, increasing the chances of delayed payments. Collecting debts becomes a necessity. Collections are stressful for both the one collecting and the one being collected from. Why would a rich person become a tough loan shark when they could conduct other businesses or start a bank offering loans to creditworthy individuals? In the end, most loan sharks are small-time self-employed individuals, and because they lack money themselves, they need financial backers. ‘I could have been a financier to the loan sharks at gambling dens.’ No need to take the risk of lending to gamblers. If I lend to the loan sharks, they’ll lend to the gamblers. It doesn't matter if the loan sharks win or lose money. ‘The loan sharks must pay back principal and interest to their backers anyway.’ Anyway, the gambling den's loan sharking is a high-profit business. The money given to the loan sharks to continue their operations at the gambling dens. If I can funnel all that money into my pocket, this trial will be over easily. “You’re going to lend to loan sharks at gambling dens? Hey, Kang Yunho! That’s not just something you decide to do. That scene is intense. You could end up getting stabbed. Hyang, talk some sense into your fiancé.” Perhaps because he understood the mechanics of gambling dens, Gilsan frowned upon hearing my plan and looked at Jegal Sojeo as if asking her to dissuade me too. “Ah, um... if it’s Kang Gongja, it should be alright.” Of course, Jegal Sojeo wouldn’t dissuade me. “It’s a gambling den, even he can only be so safe...” I understand your concern, but... “It’s fine. I’ve already given it a thorough overhaul.” “What?!” The Domun faction had not disbanded long ago after a rebellion. Of course, the gamblers hadn't disappeared, but everyone directly or indirectly involved in deals with the Domun faction had been cleared out. It's no wonder Jegal Sojeo said it's safe now. “The gambling den opened not too long ago, and the loan sharks are just starting their business, right? It shouldn't be difficult to broach the topic?” The Ilgu brothers, entrusted with full authority over the gambling den by Ha Yeon Sojeo, the lady of Haomun, wouldn't have to worry about others’ opinions. “Yes, it’s possible. But the financier of the gambling den we operate is in the name of the lady, is that alright with you?” “When Ha Yeon Sojeo returns, I’ll just say it was used as emergency funds for a fortnight.” Somehow, I could imagine Ha Yeon Sojeo’s slightly pouty face asking why I bothered asking if it was something I needed. “Ha Yeon Sojeo is the financier of the gambling den? Wasn’t she on a trip? And what's with the lady of Haomun? What exactly is happening?” Gilsan, I’ll explain everything later. “We'll only collect 5 pun interest daily for the next fortnight.” What's important now is the trial. “Five pun?!” Ilgu asked back in surprise. “Why? Is it hard?” “If the financier charges five pun from loan sharks, they’ll have to ask for even more from gamblers. I don’t know how much money you’re thinking of putting in, but if the interest is too high, they might not be able to handle all of it.” “It is quite a significant amount.” Even in moneylending, too high an interest rate might be too difficult for a single gambling den to handle. “Why don’t you consider other gambling dens as well?” As I pondered for a moment, Samgu, the youngest of the Ilgu brothers, suggested alongside me. “Other gambling dens?” “After the Domun faction broke down, all gambling dens in Wuhan are managed by our Hyangju-nims. It might be worth meeting them.” “After the Domun incident, I’m sure the Haomun suffered significant losses, and they’re likely using gambling proceeds for recovery costs...” Even when there’s a thick bond of camaraderie, things change when money is involved. Not much time had passed since the Domun incident concluded. Many Haomun fighters died, and the property damage was substantial. As leaders of their groups, they may have trouble yielding certain things. This is troublesome. Hmm? Feeling a pull at my sleeve, I turned my head to find Jegal Sojeo looking at me intently. “Kang Gongja. I think your idea is the best.” Had she sensed my hesitation? Jegal Sojeo firmly gripped my sleeve as she spoke. “Then I'll go and meet them.” Indeed. If Jegal Sojeo acknowledges it as the best approach, there's no reason to hesitate. ———— “Of course, we'll help with that much!” “Really?” “If our youngest is asking for help, how could we not assist with that?" “Don’t worry about such matters, as our Hyangju-nims are managing the Domun for the time being.” “Whew. I was wondering what you might request when you wanted a meeting; turns out it's just this kind of favor.” A gathering requested by me with the Hyangju-nims of Hubei’s Haomun. The three Hyangju-nims present in Wuhan all readily nodded at my request. “Five pun interest? With everything our youngest has done for us, if they don’t want their businesses to shutter, they should all pay for a fortnight!” “Thank you!” “Once you pass the trial, does that make you the successor of Mangu Bank?” Simun Hyangju-nim asked with a smile, seemingly well-versed on the state of the heir trials. “While I cannot know the Mangu Bank owner’s intentions, it appears I am in quite a favorable position.” It seems I’ve secured quite a strong front, one that might even take on the Blackened Celestial Ma. “Wow! From leading Haomun to becoming the successor of Mangu Bank! Be sure to teach some secrets to the kids later!” “I have reached this point thanks to the help of all the Hyangju-nims.” “Haha! If you can’t even say that much!” Now part of Simun, I've come to Wuhan, resolved the Domun incident, and am now challenging for the successor position of Mangu Bank. With an elated heart, Simun Hyangju-nim gave my back a hearty pat. "Oh, really." "Yes, imagine if your fiancé becomes the successor of Mangu Bank! Won’t the lady of Haomun be thrilled when she hears the news?" "He's also another woman's fiancé, mind you." Excuse me, Gimun Hyangju-nim? "Is it really such a big deal for a man to have two wives? One from the Demonic Sect, one from the Righteous Sect! That's how it should be!" "Or is it two from the Righteous Sect?" Gimun Hyangju-nim's voice carried a hint of sarcasm as he corrected Simun Hyangju-nim's statement. "Hahaha..." To be honest, there's more to it. "Why is Gimun Hyangju so prickly today? Is there something up? He’s been like this since he arrived." Simun Hyangju-nim quietly asked, gripping my shoulder. "I’m not sure either." Why has he been sitting so curtly all this time? It's surely not because of something as trivial as having three fiancées. "Is it that time of the month?" How am I supposed to answer that? Oh dear. Just now, Gimun Hyangju-nim's eyebrow twitched. "I can hear everything." "Oh! Youngest, by the way, is the rumor true lately?" Simun Hyangju-nim showed a flicker of surprise in his eyes before slyly changing the topic. "What rumor, do you mean?" "The constable who sees through everything! Solving numerous murder cases in Wuhan, and being able to see right through a suspect just by looking!" "I’m curious too. Is there really someone with divine sight among us? They say you catch criminals so well because of some divine sight." Mamun Hyangju-nim also looked at me with interest. It seems those deduction shows I did before the authorities left quite the impression. All sorts of rumors must be circulating. "That’s an exaggeration. I merely asked Haomun for help to investigate suspects." Even if I did have some insight, it was thanks to Haomun. "Well, I know that’s the case. But it’s not entirely due to assistance alone. You are quite a renowned constable. You’ve solved murder cases solo before, and your investigations of the deceased were unrelated to Haomun." "Those stories are blown out of proportion." I was just piecing together the puzzles given to me. It's surprising even those in the know are half-believing the rumors. What on earth is being said? "No, it’s something! Try guessing something about me." Simun Hyangju-nim stated, unable to let go, challenging me further. "About what, for instance?" "Anything! If you can surprise me, I'll make sure to personally oversee that loan shark issue from start to finish!" For Simun Hyangju-nim to personally handle the loan sharks? If all it takes is surprising him, that’s not bad. "…Are you serious?" "Of course." Simun Hyangju-nim pounded his chest, assuring me. So, I just need to surprise him? "It might do you well to pay more attention to your domestic affairs." I went straight for it. "What? What do you mean by that?" "Though she's a young mistress, if you pour too much affection on her, your wife will naturally grow envious. It's best to spend time with them, even if not in bed." "Uh? Uh?!" Indeed, he didn’t expect that. Simun Hyangju-nim's mouth opened wide in shock. "Oh." "Hmm. You have a mistress? Even I didn’t know." The other Hyangju-nims glanced at Simun Hyangju-nim, equally surprised. "How… how did you find out?" Simun Hyangju-nim asked me in disbelief. "Someone who normally displays indifference towards appearance suddenly tending meticulously indicates a newfound concern for looks. Plus, after wrapping up something that had troubled him recently, he suddenly lost weight. His under eyes are dark, suggesting something has been draining his energy, and since Simun Hyangju-nim has only one wife, surely there’s a young mistress." "That’s… correct." "And judging by the small bruise on your cheek, it indicates someone struck you. Together with the scratch marks, it suggests the attacker used fingernails, pointing to a woman, and the slap was with the left hand, which your left-handed wife would know. That's why I mentioned it." "What…?" As soon as I finished speaking, Gimun Hyangju-nim, who had been startled, dropped his pipe. "My goodness…! Is it possible to discern such things?" "Is it true that you possess divine sight?" The atmosphere seemed more astonished than when discussing the potential Domun rebellion. "…It was actually something I witnessed while visiting Simun Hyangju-nim recently." Seeing that everyone was sufficiently surprised, I confessed with a smile. "What?" "I saw you with your wife, and she was wondering why you were making such a racket in your office. From what I heard, she'd been pulling your hair..." "No! When did you see that!" Realizing the truth, Simun Hyangju-nim swiftly cut me off, stunned that he had been duped. "Hahaha! Even though it's a simple trick of piecing facts together, it’s effective at catching someone off guard and coaxing out the truth." I merely pieced together the information I had, things I had seen before, and tidbits I heard from people close to Simun today. It’s all just putting together a puzzle. Yet, you were surprised, weren't you? I looked at Simun Hyangju-nim with a smile. "No matter how I see it, that wasn't just a simple trick… I can’t win against our youngest! Come here! I lost, so drink up!" "Thank you!" The little deduction show ended with an enjoyable round of drinks. ————— "I’ll offer you a drink." "Pour it." Having had a lively conversation with Simun and Mamun Hyangju-nims, I approached Gimun Hyangju-nim, who was quietly smoking in one corner, raising a cup for a toast. "Pour me some, too." "Thank you." Could there have been something unpleasant before coming to this meeting? Though his previously curt demeanor had softened due to my entertaining deduction show, Gimun Hyangju-nim's voice carried a subdued tone. Though Gimun Hyangju-nim is old enough to be my grandmother, her appearance is that of a beauty in her twenties. Suddenly noticing her discomfort, I found myself at a loss as to why. I drank the cup Gimun Hyangju-nim filled and cautiously extended it again. "Your mother would be pleased." Words I didn’t expect flowed from Gimun Hyangju-nim as she refilled my cup. "I strive to be a child they can be proud of." "Where would we find another child like you? Your mother would be proud of you too." Gimun Hyangju-nim’s statement feels like a sign of pride and affection. Alright. Time for a little act. Let me act like a son grieving for his departed mother, who passed without seeing him become Mangu Bank's successor. "Thank you for seeing me in such a positive light." I'll pretend to be a grandson who's surviving thanks to the comforting presence of a grandmother standing right before him. I received the cup and bowed my head to Gimun Hyangju-nim. I took a deep breath loud enough for her to hear and gave a slight shake of my shoulders, feigning the emergence of sadness at the thought of my mother. Grandmother, you’ve made me think of Mother. You’ll have to take responsibility for this. "…Hmm. If you’ve finished, open your mouth." "Mm!" Gimun Hyangju-nim, as if giving candy to a crying child, pushed food into my mouth with the chopsticks in her hand. Was my act not enough? "Tsk. If it weren’t for the women issues, there’d be nothing else to worry about." "Hyangju-nim." I managed to swallow all the food and replied. "No matter how scarred he is by his mother’s past, this son of hers doesn't seem to hold back when it comes to any woman who approaches...” So it was my issues with women that concerned her. Gimun Hyangju-nim knows about Hwarin, Ha Yeon Sojeo, and even about the stories embroiled around the Danggaju and Hyanga, and me as their child. Becoming Mangu Bank's successor and having ties to a prestigious family like the Jegal clan might seem like an unsolvable puzzle of my romantic entanglements to Gimun Hyangju-nim. "I'll take responsibility for all of them." It's something I've considered as well, but in the end, this is all I can say. "Not apologizing shows some degree of passing." "……." "Huuu." Gimun Hyangju-nim brought her red lips to her pipe and deeply exhaled the cigarette smoke. "I’ll fulfill my responsibilities as a man." I feel like a subordinate standing before a senior officer after causing trouble. Gimun Hyangju-nim tapped the ashes from her pipe while wearing a less-than-satisfied expression and then stared at me intently for a while. Do you have more to say? Gimun Hyangju furrowed her brow slightly, seeming like she had something else to articulate, and finally opened her mouth. "I see, I understand the circumstances with your fiancées. However, should a man not be decisive in his commitments?" "…What?" There was a bit of frustration laced into Gimun Hyangju-nim's words. What does she mean? Standing still in disbelief, I heard Gimun Hyangju-nim let out a small sigh before revealing the reason for her unexpected irritation. "Why on earth did you accept the undergarment of a courtesan working under me?"