Ch 360 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

**Grand Heist – Chapter 9** "My prized Dark Iron Lump! My precious Dark Iron Lump!" The estate that fell victim to a theft, losing the Dark Iron Lump that had been a treasured possession shown off to Mu Yeong Sin-tu just days ago. After being bedridden for days, the Jibudaein struggled to his feet. "How long will you wallow in despair? You need to shake it off and get up." The chief officer said with a worried tone, addressing the Jibudaein. "Do you have any idea what you're asking me to shake off? That was my lifeline! I had used the missing Dark Iron Lump to cover up an incriminating report! What am I supposed to do now?" "What’s done is done. You’ll have to find another way to patch things up. Rumor has it that the black markets are abuzz, yet the whereabouts of the Dark Iron Lump remains unknown." "Mu Yeong Sin-tu! How can we not catch such a vile thief? Why is this national scourge allowed to roam free?" "Jibudaein-nim, a crisis has arisen!" Amidst the Jibudaein's lament over the theft, a guard rushed in with a panicked expression. "What could possibly be a greater crisis than the theft of the Dark Iron Lump?" Already seething with anger and frustration, what additional distress could possibly arise? Before the guard could answer, a throng of constables burst into the estate. "It’s far bigger than you think. It might just be the biggest crisis of your life." Amongst the horde of suddenly appearing constables, a familiar face emerged, pushing forward to confront the Jibudaein. "Jeong Mun-won? What brings the inspector here?" Jeong Mun-won barely managed to suppress the urge to punch the Jibudaein in the face as he took out a cord and shouted. "Criminal Yang Gye-kwang, come forth and accept your arrest!" "……." At the inspector's absurd proclamation, a silence fell within the estate. "Haha, the inspector’s ordering the Jibudaein around." "Orders? Tell him to go home and order his wife around instead." "Heh heh heh." "Hey! Inspector sir! Haven’t you learned your lesson from last time? Do you even know where you are right now?" "How dare you speak to the inspector like that!" "How dare we? What’s a measly inspector doing causing trouble in the house of a senior official of rank 4?" The reactions of those in the estate were predictable. Jeong Mun-won's previous allegations had long since been dismissed as false. It seemed it would have been enough for the inspector to face dismissal. To those unaware of the situation, it appeared as if the newbie inspector, crushed by his own frustration, had returned to cause trouble. "Jeong Mun-won! Your slandering is getting tiresome! Have you not learned from your reprimands from the court?" The Jibudaein's outcry pierced through to Inspector Jeong Mun-won. "Slander? You call this slander?!" "It’s only by the Emperor’s grace that you’re still hanging on to your life! If you cause another issue this time, do you think your position or your life will remain intact?" An initial mistake by an overeager inspector could be overlooked. A second charge, notably laced with personal ire, couldn’t even be shielded by the Emperor. This time, they would rid themselves of this thorn in their side by having the inspector dismissed. The Jibudaein’s fury at Mu Yeong Sin-tu now targeted the inspector. "The one who should worry about their life is you." The inspector’s response was, however, frosty. "What did you say?" Jeong Mun-won, as if not wanting to waste a moment on the Jibudaein, unrolled a scroll and declared it aloud for all within the estate to hear. "Jibudaein Yang Gye-kwang’s corruption is clear and undeniable! Inspector Jeong Mun-won is to apprehend the criminal and escort him to the capital!" "Wh-who on earth said such a thing?" Something clearly wasn’t right. Despite the threats, he stood his ground. Could it be that the inspector acted without approval? The Jibudaein's voice trembled with a sense of foreboding. "This is the decree from the revered Censorate Commissioner overseeing Hubei’s officials." Though inspectors belonged to the Censorate of the Imperial Household, supervision over officials’ corruption was not solely the central government’s duty. The permission of the Hubei Province Censorate’s chief meant everything was already concluded. "The Censorate Commissioner? That can't be right!" "There was a whistleblower. A secret ledger detailing all of the criminal’s corrupt activities was delivered to us as a gift. It made persuading the Commissioner straightforward." With a grin, Jeong Mun-won brandished a worn ledger in front of the Jibudaein. "How, how did you get your hands on that?! The ledger was very much... that day... huh?" "What? Do you know who the whistleblower might be?" "Could it be! Mu, Mu Yeong Sin-tu?! You've allied yourself with a thief?!" "To catch a major thief, sometimes you need to make use of a small one." "Jeong Mun-won! Mu Yeong Sin-tu! You scoundrels!!!" Jeong Mun-won gazed icily at the nation's grand thief. He sounded like a pig being slaughtered. A pig grown fat off the blood and tears of the people, gnawing on the humble lives of the citizens greedily. "I’ll say it once more." Only one thing needed to be said to that pig. "This can't be happening! This simply can't!" "Arrest the criminal Yang Gye-kwang! Escort everyone involved to the capital!" *** "Why did you refuse?" In the inner yard of the estate, Ha Yeon So-jeo asked me as I stood on the grass. "I’m not in the habit of walking willingly into the gates of hell." It’s because that inspector is on friendly terms with the princess. Whether he does his job well or not, I’d end up cleaning up the princess’s mess afterward. "What?" "Nothing. It’s not like working with the inspector would even grant me a position. Even if I worked diligently, I’d likely obtain a lowly position at best." Although one might secure a position through recommendations without passing the civil service exam, it’s impossible for new Inspector Jeong Mun-won, unless it was for high-ranking officials. Jeong Mun-won, no doubt, will rise with this case. But I’d have to establish significant merit, and by that time, the gates of hell would already be looming before me. "A lowly position might be attainable through hard work, don’t you think? There are plenty of people desiring even a lowly scribe’s job at forty." Even in a world where martial arts exist, prosperity through official recognition is the highest value in society, making it perfectly reasonable to pursue. Even as a low-ranking official like Park Bong could command the respect of wealthy merchants. "Without attaining a position through the civil service exam, you'll end up a lifelong low-ranking official. Engaging in official duties means neglecting calligraphy and business. And there's a compelling reason not to do it." "What is it?" Intentionally, I gazed at Ha Yeon So-jeo with affection and confessed softly. "There are many I need to take care of, so I must live without worrying about daily meals." "Ugh." Ha Yeon So-jeo blushed, covering her lower face with her elbow as if she had taken a hit. "When this matter concludes, please help a lot, Ha Yeon So-jeo. We need to expand the literary house and continue growing the inn business." Striving to become an official would be overextending oneself. Following the inspector could be one of the few opportunities to connect with the princess. The underlying issue is whether the princess is indeed the main heroine. If she's not, I might miss the chance to meet the true heroine. There's no need to specifically meet the princess; I can build my reputation as a writer and eventually meet her. "I-I’ll do my best. But shouldn’t you at least demand compensation for handing over the secret ledger?" "It would be detrimental to have rumors spreading about my relationship with Mu Yeong Sin-tu or that a mere black-haired constable played a part in exposing the corruption of a high-ranking official. For now, let’s focus on enhancing Ha Yeon So-jeo's reputation." Right now, it’s enough to concern oneself with Mu Yeong Sin-tu’s reputation. If my name gets out, it’ll be a loss. ***** "Well done!" "This is just the beginning. The reports to be filed today are towering, so everyone, keep up the hard work." Having witnessed the humiliating scene of the Jibudaein sobbing and getting locked up, Jeong Mun-won felt a ten-year burden lifted, but he kept his composure while giving orders to the junior officials. "Shall we start with dinner?" "There's too much work; it's difficult to step out for a meal. Grab some snacks on your way back." Even though Jeong Mun-won felt like he needed neither food, drink, nor sleep, he couldn’t skip meals while mustering the strength to report every detail of the Jibudaein's misdeeds. "A branch of the Woonki Inn opened near the office a few days ago. Should we order delivery from Gio Food Hall? Would you like anything?" "Woonki Inn, is it the one run by Detective Kang? I’ll pay. Order whatever you like." "I’ll order a large sweet and sour pork. I’ll get you a spicy seafood noodle soup." "Have you seen me eat spicy food?" Jeong Mun-won's gaze narrowed. "S-sorry! I’ll order black bean noodles." "I’ve got a late night ahead, so I'd prefer food that won’t make a mess." "I’ll order fried rice then!" "Since we’re regulars, ask for extra black bean sauce and noodle soup." "It's our first order, but okay." Why doesn’t he just order it himself? He even took the Storm Warrior Tales last time. Jeong Mun-won ignored the distant muttering of his subordinate like any laid-back manager would. 'When the sweet and sour pork arrives, I’ll pour the sauce over it.' Imagining the assistant’s distressed expression, Jeong Mun-won took his seat. "I’ve already written the memorial to be sent to the Emperor." The memorial detailed the Jibudaein’s extortion, bribery, and a host of malevolent deeds. Once this report gets submitted, even the officials who accepted bribes won’t be able to shield the Jibudaein to save themselves. ‘I was right to team up with Mu Yeong Sin-tu. However….’ There was one thing that nagged Jeong Mun-won. Joining hands with a small thief to eliminate the nation’s great thief was justifiable; it wasn’t the thought of further dealings with thieves that bothered him. It was for another reason. ‘Kang Yun Ho ended up without gaining anything at all.’ I am content with the current situation. Please lead the charge in apprehending the nation’s great thief. What an impressive individual. Truly, what an impressive individual. A role like this without seeking any reward… Is such talent really hidden away in obscurity? Kang Yun Ho claimed he would quit the constable role once everything settled, having only taken on the position temporarily to assist. Is he truly content to remain just a merchant? ‘He clearly stated he didn’t want his name known from this case…’ While Kang Yun Ho effectively gauged Jeong Mun-won's disposition to persuade him, there was one thing he overlooked. The inspector’s loyalty to the Emperor was beyond Kang Yun Ho's estimation. Jeong Mun-won took hold of his brush. [Minister Jeong Mun-won reports: The national unraveling of the Jibudaein's corruption was not achieved through my efforts alone. Indeed, a remarkably skilled black-haired constable played a pivotal role....] Reporting hidden talent has been, historically, a scholar’s duty and demonstrates loyalty to the royal court. Unbeknownst to Kang Yun Ho, A small cog had begun to turn.