723 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"The master! Kang Yoon Ho has responded, requesting a meeting this evening." "Is that true?" Bang Dae Woon, the owner of Hosanyakbang, couldn't hide his anxiety as he paced around his office. But as soon as the awaited message arrived, a look of relief washed over his face. "It seems securing all the medicinal ingredients Kang had requested was worthwhile." "It sure paid off to have scoured every herbalist and medicine seller in the city!" To grab hold of the lifeline that had descended from the heavens, how tirelessly had he roamed in the past few days? With a sigh of relief, Bang Dae Woon collapsed into his chair and stared at the books resting on the shelf. Jegal Seol Rok. The fame of the author spanned beyond Hubei Province and was spreading along the Yangtze River to Hunan. Bang Dae Woon, the owner of Hosanyakbang, was an avid reader who eagerly awaited the next installment of this famed series. He didn't think anything could surpass the shock of 'The Storm of the Tang Family' or 'The Heroic Adventures of the Wind.' But Jegal Seol Rok pleasantly shattered such expectations. A detective solving murder cases instead of a constable chasing down petty thieves. Bang Dae Woon was astounded by the author's conception, and even more surprised to see the inspiration for such a character standing before him. "Are you really going to make the request?" "Is there another option?" Who was Kang Yoon Ho? Surely, someone like Jegal Seol Rok couldn't truly exist. Despite people's excitement over the novel, there was always skepticism regarding its realism, yet Kang Yoon Ho was a name frequently mentioned in such discussions. From Jegal Seol Rok's ghost ship incident to countless murder cases and the mystery of the shadowless assassin, the infamous constable had even defeated demons. It was said he solved cases using deduction, much like Jegal Seol Rok. It was well-known among fans that Jegal Seol Rok thrived on demonstrating his deduction skills publicly, with many witnessing his prowess firsthand. Of course, Mingum Books' promotional efforts were behind this spreading rumor. "Yes, that's true, but..." "In Hunan Province, there's only one person who can solve this problem!" Jegal Seol Rok and Kang Yoon Ho. As Jegal Seol Rok gained fame, Kang Yoon Ho's stories invariably accompanied him. A peculiar situation where they reinforced each other's credibility and mystique. Kang Yoon Ho was frustrated by people's misconceptions, yet he couldn't deny the publicity rooted in reality. It was only natural that the owner of Hosanyakbang was confident the truth behind his beloved's death could only be uncovered by Kang Yoon Ho. ** 'Let's just face it.' Sometimes, you must take risks to achieve what you desire. You can't always just do what's safe. Even if I'm not a real detective, there's nothing I wouldn't do to open a new market in unfamiliar territory. Yes. I'll use this opportunity to boost my reputation as a detective and sell Jegal Seol Rok along the way. Resolving myself, I headed to the tavern. "I apologize for my rudeness. I was so exhilarated at the thought of Jegal Seol Rok's appearance that I didn't consider Kang Yoon Ho's feelings. It was my mistake. I'm genuinely sorry." As soon as we met, the owner of Hosanyakbang offered a sincere apology. "People often think they can treat me poorly when they see my hair color. It's regrettable." Surely the owner wasn't planning to apologize only with words. There needs to be proof they're different. "It might not fully improve your mood, but I've acquired the medicinal ingredients you've been desperately seeking." "No need for an apology gift." Oh my, what a gentleman. Pretending as if I hadn't thought of it, I naturally reached for the gift box. "Was it unnecessary? If my apology suffices..." "I've learned not to disregard genuine gestures of goodwill." Ah, are you trying to paint me as someone lacking etiquette? There was a brief moment of resistance, but it was futile against my prowess in 'Sosyo-Wisdom.' "In that case, they're primarily rare ingredients, not particularly expensive ones. Please, don't feel burdened and accept them." "Old Master Siwang will be pleased you found the herbs." Instead of expensive ingredients, it was filled with those that required connections to obtain. It's a perfect apology gift, like receiving a few pieces of a limited edition set. "May I speak my mind?" After a few drinks, Bang Dae Woon hesitantly began to speak to me. No. You secured the limited pieces. I just want to disperse and collect the rest. "Isn't a drinking session meant for sharing feelings? Discussions of all sorts come up in such gatherings." Let's hear what it's all about. "Well then...!" "Why are you suddenly kneeling?" Anguished over his beloved's death? Does he want me to uncover the cause? Or perhaps find the culprit. Rising from his seat, he unexpectedly dropped to his knees in front of me, making an unexpected request. "Please clear this unjust accusation!" —— "An accusation of what kind?" Wasn't this about his beloved's death? "I had a beloved. She was not only beautiful but bright in character, someone I cherished dearly. A few days ago, she was found as a cold corpse." "Did she have any enemies?" With the request made, an investigation must commence. I began to ask Bang Dae Woon about the series of events. "She wasn't someone who would make enemies! Even in conflict, she was someone who won favor, like a flower blossoming in the field!" Right, turning a servant into a beloved is among the worst acts for a master. No matter how pretty or well-figured, how big her heart, or how kindly she treated me... On second thought, I should still listen carefully just in case. ZHFFaHg0NTVMUERqTnhDNTdpRkczYmJGaG56UFUyaG5HeG1QeEVHY2tEMmk1NXhTcjF4RUZzY2xCTC9GbWZtQw "So, you mean someone wrongfully implicated her in a murder due to a misunderstanding." "Exactly that! Indeed!" Bang Dae Woon let out a wry laugh, almost unable to contain his emotions. "Who is the person wrongfully accused?" Who could have been pointed out as the murderer of his beloved? Who could it possibly be that he needs this wrongful charge cleared? "My... my wife." "Pardon?" "The incompetent constables have pinpointed my wife as the culprit!" "...That's a logical deduction." Crimes of passion are all too common. Turning a servant into a mistress on a whim would certainly infuriate one's wife. Let’s jot that down mentally. "My wife is not the perpetrator!" Bang Dae Woon protested with unwavering conviction. Perhaps it was his faith in his wife as a couple. It's admirable, but there are a few things to verify. "Did you care for your mistress deeply?" "I treasured her! I spared no effort in providing her with the finest food and garments!" "Was she significantly younger than your wife?" "She had just come into her prime. She was a beauty, like a wildflower." In his mid-thirties, he took a twenty-year-old mistress. "And you often shared nights together?" "Naturally." "How frequently with your wife?" "Ah, you mean with my wife?" Why does his voice tremble? It seems we might not need to delve deeper. "Before she died, if you spent ten nights with your mistress, how many with your wife?" Please demonstrate with your fingers. "Well... about this much?" He hesitated for a long while before extending his clenched fist, with no sign of any fingers unfolding. "...Not even once." Hmmm. Here's the person who should've perished in the mistress's place. "Even if so! My wife did not commit the crime! She and the mistress were on good terms!" "That could be only in the husband's eyes." I might not need to intervene. Perhaps I can simply take the herbs and leave. It’s not the outcome I aimed for, but it's still profitable. "I understand what you're thinking. But it's a misunderstanding!" "It seems like a matter you didn't need to approach me about." Let’s be fair in our relations with wives. A valuable lesson from a life senior. Just as I was about to stand, the owner made a strong rebuttal. "Why would a pregnant wife commit such an act?" "Pregnant?" —— "Your wife is pregnant?" "My heir will be born from her womb! She has no reason to be jealous of a mere mistress." "While presumption is risky, that's a convincing point." If there was a reason for the lack of intimacy, things become interesting. Not because of love for the mistress, but merely fulfilling a temporary inability. Things are getting complicated. "Those incompetent constables are attempting to take my wife away! Though I'm stalling them for now, soon enough she'll be called to the authorities." "It's a burden far too great for a pregnant woman." Worse yet, there are always those eager to simplify complex problems by concerning themselves with the wrong issues. In this era, an interrogation essentially means torture. Torture for a pregnant woman. No wonder the owner of Hosanyakbang was desperate in gathering those herbs. "Please help! It's not just the unjust death of my mistress, but my wife and unborn child at risk!" Bang Dae Woon, holding my hands in earnest imploring, pleaded with all his sincerity. 'This is a chance to earn a favor to be remembered.' Here was an opportunity to clear the unjust death of the mistress and save the wife and child. An interesting case that would make a detective rush happily to the scene. "I understand the situation." I should smile and offer a lifeline of hope. "Then?!" "However." I draw the boundary. "However?" "Please remember, I'm neither Jegal Seol Rok nor a constable with black hair. I’m Kang Yoon Ho of Magum Trading." I'm a merchant, not a detective, so let's settle the trade payment first. ** "What... what do you mean?" Bang Dae Woon's surprise was evident when the lifeline that descended from the heavens didn't extend as he anticipated. "I'm not a novel's detective who runs smiling to each incident. I'm a merchant who has to support the employees that have followed me here." Bang Dae Woon, hearing Kang Yoon Ho's words, was reminded of a fact he almost forgot. 'The heir of Magum Trading. Son-in-law of the Jegal family.' Offer a fair price if you want to move him. The man before him is not Jegal Seol Rok. He’s a merchant whose achievements are beyond simple imagination. This wasn't something to be resolved with just an apology and a request. "I'll provide all the listed medicinal herbs free of charge." "An enticing offer, but one that will delight Old Master Siwang more than myself." Bang Dae Woon couldn’t help but let out a silent groan at the proposal that could shake the very foundation of his pharmacy. "What do you want... How much is it?" His wife and unborn child were at stake. It wasn't a time for typical profit calculations. Whatever was placed on the scale, he had to find the balance. Bang Dae Woon braced himself to nod to any answer that he would receive from the black-haired man. "Become a friend." "What...?" The unexpected reply hit Bang Dae Woon like a striking blow. "In Hunan, apart from Old Master Siwang, there's no one I can open my heart and rely upon. Please become a confidant I can trust." Not money, but a relationship. Something trivial yet everything. At times, a merchant spends fortunes to win over someone's heart, and what could not be bought with fortunes can be gained with a single word. What Kang Yoon Ho sought was not a single transaction but a relationship that would continuously flourish. "If you can clear my wife's name, I'll regard you as a benefactor for life." Bang Dae Woon agreed with a shaking voice, nodding earnestly. "I may not deliver the answer you wish for." With a genuine smile that seemed to shed his merchant guise, Kang Yoon Ho replied. "Haha! I've heard of the murder on the ship you recently resolved!" Hadn't he witnessed the deduction showcase a few days ago? He laughed as if he found Kang Yoon Ho's jest incredibly amusing. Yet the truth remained. "This is an outdated case. Many pieces of evidence will have vanished by now. There may be trials in uncovering the truth, possibly even failures. But more important than that..." "What's most important?" The black-haired man’s eyes shifted. They weren’t those of a young merchant just entering adulthood nor of an apparently seasoned trader. "The truth may not be the answer you are hoping for." It was the gaze of a detective in search of the truth. "Th-that..." What if the wife truly turned out to be the culprit? Bang Dae Woon couldn’t bring himself to respond. "Haha. If so, I'll simply keep quiet and return, claiming ignorance!" "W-would you?" "Haha! Though I say that, there’s always a chance of not finding a single clue and returning empty-handed." Surely, the detective wouldn’t fail to uncover the answer. It was likely just a jest to win over a friend's heart. Bang Dae Woon was already feeling as if he had gained a young friend in Kang Yoon Ho. "If you can't solve it, who else possibly could?" He trusted this man. "I accept the request." "I appreciate it." He was certain that his wife's name would be cleared. Bang Dae Woon was confident. —— "Contact Haomun and get all the information on Hosanyakbang you can lay your hands on!" "Should we also reach out to contacts at Unka?" "Try to connect some threads at the authorities too!" "Are you really going to take this on?" "It has to be solved! We need to establish new business connections!" Kang Yoon Ho found himself on a tightrope, the urgency imminent.