497 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

EP.497 The Third Test - 3 "It's something only you can do." "Are you babbling abstract nonsense now?" The true answer isn't in the document; it's inside me. Surely, he wouldn't suggest this kind of metaphysical notion as a secret plan. "I'm such a fellow!!! I just wanted to carry water jugs and live comfortably, but it turns out that you can't deny what's in your blood!!!" Why is that guy suddenly unable to control his excitement by himself? "Ms. Jegal, why is he acting like that all of a sudden?" "I-I don't know either!" I asked while trying to maintain the utmost respect towards my brother-in-law, and Jegal So Jeo turned her head away, seemingly embarrassed as well. "Kekeke! As Kang Yoon Ho's advisor, I, Jeon Gil San, have two brilliant strategies wrapped in silk bags." Jeon Gil San, as if he were a minister running the country from the shadows, laughed villainously like a third-rate movie villain and spoke to me. "But the clever stratagem wrapped in a silk bag is a hallmark of Zhuge Liang, not Zhang Liang." Pick a concept and stick to it. "Just get the point!" Gil San’s persona slipped for a moment, and he raised his voice at me, slightly embarrassed. "You have two of them? Stop beating around the bush and tell me." "Okay. To avoid being discarded like Zhang Liang, I must reveal the superior strategy to my lord first." I was tempted to say something, but seeing him thrilled to continue his ministerial act, I chose to remain silent. "That, that discard is Han Xin though." Jegal So Jeo couldn't hold it in. "Hyang Yi, do you want to keep becoming more like your fiancé?" "Ahhh." "You seem confident, so let's hear it." Speaking with such confidence... What could Jeon Gil San's formidable plan possibly be? As Jegal So Jeo and I focused, Gil San could not contain his laughter and finally revealed his plan. "Yes, one of my clever strategies... It's this." "What is it?" "Lend money to the writer Hopyul." "..." A brief silence hung in the room. "How about that? An unexpected move, right?" A sigh of disappointment emerged in response to Gil San's triumphant expression. "The publication of 'Tang Family Adventures 4' has been delayed for over six months because of you. Everyone is eagerly waiting for it! You lend some money and open a branch of the bookstore. Sell the fourth volume solely at this branch. Just hearing about it will make the place a sensation. With the Yangtze River trade routes, people will flock in like bees. A fortnight? You'd easily double the profit." "Ms. Jegal, what were you about to say earlier?" I asked Jegal So Jeo, trying to change the subject and conceal my discontent. "That, well... It might be a good idea to look into negotiable promissory notes." "Negotiable promissory notes?" "Some of them have surpassed the guaranteed payment period. The interest accrues by one percent every five days. If not repaid within fifteen days, confiscation occurs." "Indeed. Looking for people desperate for money in the market is quicker than searching for someone to borrow money. As expected of Ms. Jegal." If it's promissory notes, it can be quickly investigated. As expected, Ms. Jegal, coming from a prestigious family, truly understands the realms of finance well. "It's n-nothing." "And what about me, huh?!" Oh dear. Gil San was clearly upset for being ignored, as his face reddened and he shouted. "Are you suggesting I should lend money to this Hopyul?" "Isn't it a great idea? Hopyul is your friend!" "No." "Why not? Is it because you find it troubling to lend money to a friend you could even give your life for? If it were me, I’d gladly guarantee for a friend to whom I’d give my life!" Well, it's undoubtedly a good idea. It was an idea I hadn't thought of. Even Ms. Jegal wouldn't have considered it. Because. "Hopyul is me. Naturally, that's impossible." Only Gil San didn't know Hopyul's true identity. "Th-that's right." "Oh. Really? Then it can't be done." Jeon Gil San nodded reflexively, eyes wide. "Yes. The publisher knows my identity." "...Wait a minute. What did you just say?" Was this some sort of bombshell revelation? Gil San's face was quite amusing as he processed the delayed comprehension. ----- "Hey! Stop joking! How can you be Hopyul?" Jeon Gil San gestured incredulously at me, denying my identity. He had come all the way to Yichang to recruit Hopyul, only to be fooled by me. It's understandable he'd be shocked. "Why do you think I go by Hopyul?" "What do you mean? Hopyul (胡筆) means 'Barbarian Writing.' Oh?!" Jeon Gil San finally realized, with a shocked expression, looking at my hair. "More precisely, it means Barbarian Writer." "Hyang Yi, is this true?" "Yes, it's true." Gil San confirmed with his cousin once again, but her answer wouldn't change. "This rascal! So you've been deceiving me this whole time?!" Jeon Gil San finally accepted it and was angry with me. "How did I deceive? It's not something you can just tell anyone, and in this case, I just missed the chance to mention it." "This is absolutely ridiculous! Is this even possible?!" Gil San's cry, mixed with injustice, anger, and surprise, was quite entertaining. "There are even drafts I write in this room. Should I show you proof?" "Then what is your true identity, exactly…?" Jeon Gil San was left speechless, looking at me with a shocked expression. "I am Kang Yoon Ho, novel writer, merchant, and with a side job as a constable." As an outsider trying to thrive in this world, one job just doesn't cut it. I joked with a mischievous smile. "No, not that." "Hm?" Wasn't he astonished by how much I excelled at? Jeon Gil San shook his head, looking at me, and spoke. "This cunning merchant who, for a friend, would risk his life with disregard. The confidant who immediately recognized the hidden talent of Hopyul living in obscurity. Not that, but someone making unscrupulous profits off their own book, and having been dragged off to Tang due to their own fault? A villain holding readers hostage with their books?" "..." Ah, so that's the issue. "Is that right?" This guy, sneakily stating facts. I turned my head to the side, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Ms. Jegal, my identity as Hopyul remains a secret, understood?" "Hehe. Yes." "A frightful fellow." At least he didn't call it disgraceful. --- "What was the second strategy?" Once Gil San had calmed down, he inquired about his self-proclaimed silk bag strategies. "There was a second-rate strategy after the first." "A second-rate strategy?" It wasn’t as good as the Hopyul strategy but still worth considering. Jeon Gil San quietly observed me, then cautiously spoke. "Is there any reason for you to pass the last test in the first place?" His question surprisingly hit the core of the issue. "What do you mean?" "You finished first in both previous tests. Even if you do nothing, you're likely to become the successor." "Are you saying I should do nothing for fifteen days?" Gil San nodded at my question. "Your aunts and cousins are insisting on a third test, but will the outcome change now? You could write a novel or spend time with Hyang Yi. You can rest for fifteen days." The third test is simply the final test, not akin to a final job interview. Unless you make a grave mistake in the third test, the scores from the first and second tests should secure your position as the successor. Gil San's strategy was, surprisingly, a reasonable suggestion. "No." But the decision was already made. "Why not?" "It's crucial to leave no room for dissent." "What?" "The successor to the largest bank in the world has black hair. People will talk even if I become the successor. I need to establish some achievements for that time." The successor to the foremost bank must be someone that no one can dispute, regardless of their heritage. As long as I have black hair, disdain and contempt will always be directed at me. Moreover, ‘I need the recognition of the bank owner to continue my life as a writer.’ With a world many times larger than the Korean Peninsula, expanding bookstores without support is impossible. Being labeled an illegitimate son of the Tang family is too risky to admit openly. I cannot use the Chu clan either. The Hao Mun might assist, but it’s not enough as a backing. Hence, the power of the bank is essential. I promised him proofs, telling the bank owner I'd leave a name that echoes through generations. Giving up on the third test simply wasn’t an option. "Maybe that's why Grandfather insists on the third test." "Most likely." Noya instructed me promptly after the second test to gain the favor of the eldest daughters. If the bank owner's mind is set, this test might just shut down any further gossip. "Tough, isn't it?" Gil San sighed deeply, turning to me. "Of course it's tough. It's the final test." "Oh! Right. What about this? I know this one guy, he's a gambler." A gambler... "You’re suggesting lending money to a gambler?" It implies a high-stakes situation. "Why not? Sounds doable, right?" "What nonsense are you spouting?" "I, I don't think it's a good idea either." As we both shook our heads, Gil San continued to press, sensing our reluctance. "There are people who seem bound to win, but they have no money or credit. Isn’t that the same as what you just said about taking risks?" While misleading, it was oddly true, making it difficult to refute. "I'm not just blabbing. There's a gambler I know with only one hand. Trusting him could be beneficial." "Why does he only have one hand?" "He lost a hand trying to pull a trick." "......" Instead of being a right fit, it sounded like an ill-fated suggestion. When I frowned, Gil San quickly waved his hands to further explain. "No, listen! When a merchant fails, they lose money, but a gambler could lose a hand. He's already lost one. He's sure to bet his life." "Ms. Jegal, should we start the pot boiling?" Let's teach him what 'discarding the accomplished after the mission' means. Ms. Jegal alternated glances between my smiling face and the flustered Gil San, then bowed her head before speaking. "Ah, still, perhaps give him a chance." "Tsk. Gambling is always linked to private loans. The interest gets deducted upfront, and you also claim interest on repayment. Sometimes people are required to repay within a day, not even a fortnight. Why not aim high while taking risks?" His point was that there was little difference between my search for a solution and gambling, so why not take it easy. I understood his intent, but— "It might be a last resort. But it's too risky, and hard to justify it later when reporting to the owner. We still have time, let's deliberate further." "What else is there besides gambling?" "Collaborating allowed us to come up with many potential solutions. We need to ponder more." There may not be a perfect solution... Everyone else seemed to agree, as their expressions darkened even though I smiled. "If Grandfather was going to give me the successor position, he could just do it! Or put in a Korean language test or something, claiming that a successor should be fluent in foreign languages and then declare, 'Kang Yoon Ho has passed the third test.' Wouldn't that be great? Don't you think so, Hyang Yi?" "Yes, this test feels way too hard!" A Korean language test? It's like scoring effortlessly against a native speaker in a foreign language exam. "If it were a problem only I could solve, then I would... huh?!" Suddenly, a flash of lightning struck my mind. "Gang Gongja-nim?" My body froze. Yes. That method— "Jeon Gil San." I stared at Jeon Gil San with widened eyes. "What’s up? What is it?" "You might just be the advisor you claim to be." "What?" --- "What exactly are you planning?" As we waited, Jeon Gil San asked me impatiently. "Just wait. I'll explain when they arrive." After a moment, the answers needed to solve this test arrived. "Sir! Oh, I mean my lord! You called?" "Welcome. Why didn't just one of you come, but all of you?" The ones I called were Ilgu, Igu, and Samgu — brothers known to be my close associates. "How could we send just one of us when the lord has summoned us?" "So, how's the business going lately?" "Yes, we opened just a few days ago, and it's doing well." "Is that so?" "Hey! Are you planning to lend to the provincial association people?" Gil San seemed taken aback, assuming I might consider loaning money to members of the provincial association. "No, bring all the loan sharks from the gambling dens here." I shook my head and addressed the Ilgu brothers, who had opened the gambling den recently. "Gang Gongja-nim?" "Ah-ha!" "Are you thinking of loaning to gamblers?" The eldest, Ilgu, cautiously inquired. Gil San's gaze was one of 'I knew it,' while Jegal So Jeo looked at me with concern. Loaning money to gamblers — as Gil San pointed out, it's a high-risk move, but it can indeed double the money. "No." However, the two’s predictions were off. I had no intention of risking lending money to gamblers. "Could you explain your reasoning?" What I realized from Gil San's words was a different method. The key was not to take on significant risk. I needed to ensure both principal and interest were safely secured. But how? In the successor test for the bank, there was a method only I could employ during this final exam. And that method was... "I will become the financial backer for the loan sharks in the gambling dens." Instead of lending to gamblers, I planned to lend to the loan sharks at the gambling dens.