Ch 345 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Bandit – 4 "Commander. Have you read that novel everyone's been talking about lately?" In the manor of Mang-gum Jeon-ju. He spoke while flipping through the pages of a book that was gaining fame in Muhan. "Kang Gongja. Ah, you must mean Hopil Writer's 'Pungun Hyeobgaekjeon.' Yes, I read it a few days ago." "I'm reading it now. I knew the boy wasn't just adept in commerce but also had a literary talent, yet he exceeded all expectations." A faint smile lingered on Mang-gum Jeon-ju's face as he turned the pages of 'Pungun Hyeobgaekjeon.' "Embarrassingly, I forgot to sleep at my age and just kept reading." "Haha. So, that's why you've been off lately." "You noticed?" The commander lowered his head, looking a bit ashamed. "Hahaha. Even my shy granddaughter can't seem to keep her wits around him these days." The business Kang Yoon Ho is running is the most promising among the heirs, and his newly written novel is as impressive as his trade skills. It started off as a bit of a gamble, but there seems to be some affection for the granddaughter he was paired with, as they continue to cohabit. Satisfied, Mang-gum Jeon-ju stroked his beard. "That's understandable. Zhegal Lady enjoys novels, and the most renowned novelist in Muhan is... hmm? What's the matter?" The commander inquired as a servant entered hurriedly. "Jae-gal So-jeo has arrived." "Zhegal Hyang, you say?" Before the servant could reply, a woman with silver hair poked her head into the office. Normally, someone would be reprimanded for entering without notice, but this time was different. "Ha, Grandpa!" The visitor was Zhegal Hyang, the granddaughter Mang-gum Jeon-ju placed his hopes on alongside the most anticipated man. "What brings you here? Why do you look so upset?" Could it be that her relationship with Kang Yoon Ho had soured? The ever-confident Mang-gum Jeon-ju asked with a grim face. However, what came out of Zhegal Hyang’s mouth was unexpected. "K, Kang Gongja has been arrested by the authorities!" "What?!" This was the moment that Jwapodu's fate was decided. ** "What?! A barbarian as Zhegal Sega's future son-in-law?" What nonsense is this? Jwapodu could hardly rise from his spot, holding the area where he'd been struck by Chongpodu. "Zhegal Sega! That Zhegal Sega! In a circle of officials, who hasn't dined with someone from Zhegal Sega? What are you going to do about this!!!" Zhegal Sega is a prestigious clan known for producing both warriors and officials. It doesn't shy away from inviting talented individuals to join as guests. "There must be some misunderstanding." "Why are you unaware of something that even the courtesans of Giru know?" Chongpodu recalled words from a courtesan who sat next to him last night at Giru. One: Chongpodu, as this is likely your last visit to our Giru, I shall pour you a drink. One: What’s that supposed to mean? One: They're saying that your subordinate is planning to wrongfully accuse the Zhegal Sega's future son-in-law, given that he’s Mang-gum Jeon-ju's granddaughter’s future son-in-law. Won't someone have to take responsibility? One: W-what do you mean by that?! Though it was part of Kang Yoon Ho's scheme to let Chongpodu hear the news, there was no need for him to know that much. "That barbarian is definitely up to something." "Even I hurriedly looked into everything before coming here, just in case." "That can’t be..." Jwapodu’s face turned pale. "Someone from Mang-gum Jeon-jang is already at the office! What do you intend to do about this? Have you found any solid evidence?" "I-I was about to make him confess." "You haven’t found anything, then." Chongpodu's cold remark cut like a blade. Jwapodu felt a chill, akin to a soldier preparing to amputate his rotten left arm. "Muyeong Shintu the thief and Dasogak must have a connection! If you would just give me time to interrogate that barbarian who's the operator of Dasogak!" If things continue, it's over. Jwapodu argued his best. "Alright. Good point. But why are you interrogating Kang Yoon Ho instead of Dasogak's responsible party?" "What? Isn’t Kang Yoon Ho the one operating two Dasogaks? He's also a friend of the writer involved in the problematic text." Feeling his superior's sarcastic tone, Jwapodu couldn't help but confess what he knew. "True, Kang Yoon Ho is running those two Dasogaks in Uichang and Muhan. But who do you think owns them?" "No way..." Could it be that the one operating them and the owner are separate entities? Jwapodu's pupils dilated. "One is owned by Zhegal Sega and the other by Sacheondangga." "..." Checkmate. With nothing left to argue, Jwapodu closed his eyes tightly. "So, do you want to interrogate a family member? I can bring one over right now. She's the youngest daughter of Zhegal Sega's head." "Heh..." "Mang-gum Jeon-jang and Zhegal Sega? Really. Are you that desperate to get me fired?" Chongpodu could no longer contain his anger. "Gah!" The man who had been on the verge of inflicting one-sided violence on Kang Yoon Ho now found himself on the receiving end. "You're screaming now?! Do you realize you brought out Mang-gum Jeon-ju's granddaughter's partner under the latter's tacit approval, aiming to burn him with an iron? Do you know? Do you?!" "Ch-Commander! P-Please, spare me!" Someone who cared little for others' mercy suddenly found himself begging for it. "I knew your greed sometimes crossed the line, but I didn't expect it to blind your judgment to this extent!" Being bribed was one thing, but there should be a sense of boundaries and awareness. This time, the line was unmistakably crossed. "Commander! Gah! Please!" "Imprison Jwapodu! Go search his house for records of the bribes he's received!" Chongpodu had no intention of taking the fall for the sins of a subordinate who had crossed lines. He gritted his teeth and gave orders to the constables regarding Jwapodu. "Understood!" ** "I knew from the start this couldn't be resolved through mere words." The hospital room inside the government office. I lay alone on the bed, murmuring to myself. The opposition involved bribed officials, so no amount of rightful argument would reach them. This time, I needed to use some backing of my own. Of course, I'm not officially engaged to Zhegal Hyang. Even though my maternal grandfather Mang-gum Jeon-ju had arranged a match, obtaining the official status of Zhegal Hyang's fiancé required a much more complicated process. First, I needed to pass an internal evaluation by the leader and family members of Zhegal Sega. If I passed that, I'd be invited to Zhegal Sega to meet the head and see the face of Zhegal So-jeo's mother trembling with fear. Only with final approval from Zhegal Sega could I openly declare myself Zhegal Hyang's fiancé. I needed the backing of Zhegal Sega, but I couldn't use it directly in this situation. Fortunately, I had enough options to play. "If I get taken away, as planned, contact Man-gum Jeon-jang for Zhegal So-jeo, and Gimun for Ha-yeon So-jeo. I'll need both of their assistance." "Leave it to us." "I'll go straight to Gimhun Hyangju." Would Mang-gum Jeon-ju deny a request from his beloved granddaughter? Even if he doesn't budge, it's fine. After all, I can make them misunderstand. I'll have Gimun deliver the news to high-level officials. Once they learn that I'm cohabiting with Zhegal Hyang, someone is bound to jump to action. As expected, Chongpodu appeared. "Kang Gongja, are you alright?" Chongpodu approached me with a worried expression as I lay in bed. It seems the blood on his face might be Jwapodu's. "It's difficult to calm down when a hot iron is waved in front of your eyes." I clutched my chest, complaining like a frail scholar. "I always knew that rascal would get into trouble someday! I’ll sit him down and let him taste how hot an iron can be! Please, calm your anger." He shivered in frustration, thinking how close he came to losing his head. Chongpodu clenched his fists, trembling as he spoke to me. The issue with Jwapodu was settled, but now it was time to bring up the real objective. "I trust you'll handle Jwapodu well, Chongpodu, but my heart is heavy with the wrongful accusation, impossible to resolve.” Uncle Chongpodu, care to certify my innocence? After all, the prospective son-in-law of Mang-gum Jeon-ju’s granddaughter and Zhegal Sega’s future son-in-law was nearly accused unjustly. Hopefully, you’re not planning to just dismiss a subordinate without further consequence. I’d be concerned if there were any lingering grudges. Let me propose a negotiation card. Just accept it quietly. "I’ve read through all the statements. It’s clear you’re innocent. I’ll make a public announcement under my name to clarify that Dasogak has no involvement in this incident!" A public announcement from the highest authority overseeing Muhan's security would be acknowledgment enough. Thankfully, Chongpodu is not someone who rose to his position through mere brute force. "Chongpodu. A guest from Mang-gum Jeon-jang is here looking for Kang Gongja." "Phew. It’s good I resolved this quickly. How about returning with the guest from Mang-gum Jeon-jang?" Chongpodu sighed as if relieved his life had been spared, then asked me. "Yes, I’ll do that. Please ensure that no one else suffers unjustly like I did, and make sure to catch the thief." "Of course. The constables won’t be coming after Kang Gongja again, so rest easy." With Chongpodu’s assurance, I left the government office. —————————— "I’m out... ack!" As soon as I entered the manor, two, no, four sets of hands enveloped me. "Are you hurt anywhere?" "Kang Gongja, you were hurt? Do you want me to take a look?" "Fortunately, I’m not injured. Ha-yeon So-jeo, you’re about to take my clothes off." I’d prefer undressing in a different setting at another time. "You always pretend to be okay even when you're not. Let me see." Under their worried gazes, I revealed my upper body. "Y-you seem okay." “Hmph.” Their gazes seemed to change from worried to something more interest-filled. "I apologize for causing concern. It may have been an unreasonable request, but thank you for listening, Zhegal So-jeo." I adjusted my clothes and bowed my head toward Zhegal Hyang. “It wasn’t a big deal.” "Ha-yeon So-jeo, you’ve worked hard as well." "Not as hard as you. It was unsettling to see you dragged to the office." She thinks it's her responsibility. She doesn't need to be so downcast. "Either way, the suspicion had to be cleared eventually. Now they won't suspect Dasogak of being involved in the Muyeong Shintu affair." It was something that would have come up sooner or later. It's actually a relief to resolve it cleanly now, easing my worries. With Chongpodu personally declaring Dasogak uninvolved, the rumor of Muhan Dasogak being Zhegal Sega’s daughter’s property will surely spread. From now on, no one will dare to trouble Dasogak over the Muyeong Shintu matter. "That's a relief, but..." "No one will trouble Dasogak over Muyeong Shintu any longer. Let’s move right away." "What for?" "There are those who still haven’t learned their lesson from Muyeong Shintu." I smiled slyly at the two ladies. "Are you serious?" "If they gave it, it’s time to repay the favor, isn’t it?" Having gained a sturdy shield, it's now time to strike.