852 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

Qing scratched her cheek contemplatively. Before delving into whether the Jong family's father was truly a scoundrel, there was one thing she needed to clarify. "What is this? Didn't Lee say just now that she has the child of the Jong family within her? They claim they want to eradicate the Jong family's line, yet she's carrying that very seed inside her?" Her musings were merely soliloquy—words spoken to herself, affecting no one. Yet, Jihyun suddenly erupted. "You wench! Didn't you confess that you are carrying the Jong man's child yourself? I see now, wasn't it all a scheme to pass the estate to your own child?" Once more, the crowd murmured amongst themselves. Oh, could it be just another typical concubine's revolt? But what's this about a skeleton? Isn't it normal for merchants to quietly dispose of people? Nonetheless, the undeniable fact was that Jihyun, difficult to glimpse since her appointment, was actually a remarkable judge and investigator. Astonishment spread at how astute she truly was, contrary to her assumed disinterest in official duties. Jihyun's popularity soared. "T-that, that is." Lee stammered. She hadn’t anticipated that her words, said under duress when the executioner barged in with a knife, would come back like this. Even if she now admitted it was a lie, her belly would soon swell; and admitting the truth would mean she couldn't abort the child. Instinctively, she protectively wrapped her arms around her stomach. "The child's father is—" "Oh, Brother-in-law!" "I have no choice. Anyway, I'm now entangled with the family's burdens; it's better than being the offspring of a criminal. Magistrate, the child in my wife's womb is mine. I have been with her." "What, what!?" The commander confessed shockingly again. Even Jihyun appeared ready to leap in surprise; the place instantly buzzed with chaos as if endless ripples were spreading. However, Qing observed from her seat that the servants of the Jong family did not seem surprised amidst the tumult. Considering fellow heirs were somewhat aware, how could the servants remain oblivious? Indeed, the case was shoddily handled. It was so fragile that even pulling a random doctor could unveil its reality. It wasn't because the commander and Lee were stupid. As a so-called spontaneous incident, it was bound to be poorly managed if handled in haste. Nonetheless, the reason it had come to this was due to certain family members tacitly allowing or actively participating in it. "Three people create a tiger (三人成虎)"—even nonexistent tigers materialize if three people agree to lie. With dozens of Jong family individuals conspiring, how could anyone not be duped, not even their own child? For Jihyun, it was exasperating. A ghastly incident emerging here of all places, at the presence of the Imperial Inspector! "How, how could you, you scoundrels conspire to seize the estate? How did such a disgraceful thing...! I'll, I'll now—" "I'd prefer another method of resolution." Jihyun swallowed her words to order executions. Could she defy the Imperial Inspector's words? Qing stepped forth next to Jihyun. "I am truly impressed. That someone so wise as you could bring to light the dark secrets of this heinous incident deserves high praise, akin to Po Hin." Po Hin, known as Bao Zheng in Central Plains and famously nicknamed Justice Bao in Qing's hometown, was a renowned judge, prime minister, and role model for righteous officials famed for their detective prowess. Seeing the Imperial Inspector pleased brought a wave of relief to Jihyun. "However, if I may counsel, while it's important to punish crimes by national law, isn't the law primarily to shield the weak and unjustly accused?" For Jihyun, such words were novel. She had never considered national laws in terms of supporting the weak and unjust. But now she understood. Knowing this from now on was what matters. For her, national law henceforth would serve the weak and unjustly accused, as per the Inspector's guidance. "Indeed, though you are of Murim, your words are strikingly true. What counsel do you propose? I shall heed it as the will of the people." "As you, an official, are attentive to the people's will, it represents the epitome of a true official and a blessing of the heavens. Isn't that so, everyone?" Suddenly crowned an exemplary official, Jihyun found the crowd nodding in agreement. Now enlightened, it seemed so. "Our Jihyun was indeed an exemplary official!" "The owner of the estate has passed away and can’t be held accountable for its illegality. Historically, the responsibility would fall upon the son." In the Central Plains, it’s customary for children to bear the burdens of their ancestors—the official value being filial piety (孝), though, in practice, it is wealth. "The son, however, had no involvement with the estate's affairs and is, in fact, the greatest victim of its misdeeds." "Hmm, so then?" Qing pondered. Given the situation, seeming a plausible deduction: Jong was a vicious serial killer, leaving the commander without guilt for his demise. A vile man perishing by his own deeds constitutes a natural death. After all, who needs qualifications to dispose of trash? Anyone can take out the garbage. --- ### New Terms and Translations: 1. **Jihyun (지현)**: Interpreted as a female character based on context within the story. 2. **Po Hin (포희인)**: Translated as "Bao Zheng," a famous historical judge, also known as "Justice Bao." 3. **Imperial Inspector (어사대인)**: The term remains as is, denoting a high-ranking official in charge. 4. **Three People Create a Tiger (三人成虎)**: A Chinese idiom meaning that a false rumor repeated by many becomes credible. 5. **Justice Bao (포청천)**: Interpreted as a reference to Bao Zheng, indicating wisdom and righteousness, used to praise Jihyun. ### Contextual Clarifications: - **"Three People Create a Tiger" (三人成虎)** is a proverb illustrating how insistent rumors can be accepted as truths when multiple people agree. - There could be a suggestion of traditional familial and societal values stressing filial piety. - Jihyun being a magistrate unexpectedly revealed as astutely solving a case accentuates her authority and wit. ### Suggested List Updates: - Adjust gender pronouns for "Jihyun" to reflect the female character. - Confirm the hierarchical context for "Imperial Inspector" for clarity. It is not forbidden for a person, whose room resembles a garbage heap and who exudes an unwashed odor, to pick up garbage. In other words, regarding the murder of Jong, I have no inclination to assign any blame whatsoever. However, casting out the children is a different matter entirely. Attempting to expel innocent children—ignorant of their father’s crimes and wholly unrelated to his misdeeds—intending to leave them to die on the streets, amounts to attempted murder, an explicit act targeting to kill. Claiming it was an effort to cut off the offspring of a fiend? Had Lee not been pregnant, it might have been a slightly credible excuse, but under current circumstances, it feels like a mere pretext. It's because by expelling the little ones, they—the very people who stand to gain—would be benefiting their own child. Even if there was a smidgen of genuine intent, it can never remain pure once personal gain is involved. It's obvious without even seeing— beaming with delight, they must have thought, "A stroke of luck, my illegitimate child gets the estate too," reveling as if they had obtained everything in the world. Thus, it seems right to proceed in this manner. "Therefore, would it not be appropriate to allow the son to pass judgment on them?" "Hmm. Originally this should be settled according to the national law, but your words ring true. Thus, ahem, Jong Moon-Woon, hear me! As the head of the esteemed assembly, I will respect your decision!" Jong Moon-Woon, who had been standing vacantly, suddenly raised his head in astonishment. He looked up at Qing, his eyes filled with confusion like a lost child. Qing gently shook her head. She wasn't trying to shirk the responsibility of deciding. It was not hers to decide regarding his own affairs. If the children themselves had requested her to deal with the adulterers, it might be different. Or if she had been unrelated and only came to observe and learn the full story. Then perhaps she could have fervently argued for justice against evil. However, as for the children—even if the younger one was too young to comprehend anything, the slightly older one seemed prematurely mature. She couldn't take away their right to avenge the unredressed wrongs suffered by the innocent victim. "I, I...” “M-Moon-Woon? Still, am I not your mother? I beg you, please, please forgive me, won’t you?” Lee immediately clutched at Jong Moon-Woon's trouser leg, pleading tearfully. Moon-Woon coldly observed her before turning to gaze at the commander. “Commander, no, Uncle. Is it true? Was my father truly such a murderer? My grandfather too?” "…That was a kind of madness. A dreadful frenzy satisfied only by seeing human blood." This “madness” translates to being akin to a mental illness. But what is this? To express it bluntly, is it... a sickness that leads to slaughter? Somehow, it seems grand and strangely familiar. “I was originally a slave. Your grandfather purchased me to clean up the mess caused by his madness. Normally, I would have been killed to ensure silence, but I too realized and desperately contributed to expanding the estate. I was recognized for my efforts and remained a confidant, so eventually, I took over cleaning up your father’s messes, posing as a sworn brother.” The reason the commander became—or had to be curated as—the commander. And the truth about his father. Jong Moon-Woon's lips trembled violently. He tried to speak, but no words came, suffocating under the pressure like a tight noose closing around his throat. At that moment, a gentle hand rested on his shoulder. A cool warmth emanated, unmistakably familiar yet comforting without needing to glance back. --- ### New Terms and Translations: 1. **Jong Moon-Woon (종문운)**: A male character established within the family context. 2. **Uncle (삼촌)**: Used to denote a familial relationship with the commander, giving context to Jong Moon-Woon’s inquiry. 3. **Madness (광증狂症)**: Highlighting its connection to mental illness, related to compulsive homicidal behavior. ### Contextual Clarifications: - The narrative illuminates the moral dilemmas faced by characters embroiled in a familial crisis, balancing justice with inherent familial bonds. - It portrays the innate conflict during emotional duress, illustrating the protagonists' tangled relationships. - The theme explores accountability, emphasizing Jong Moon-Woon's struggle with legacy versus personal morality. ### Suggested List Updates: - Ensure the male designation for **Jong Moon-Woon** aligns consistently given the family ancestry and conflicts he navigates.