Inspector. Jung Mun-won.
An inspector who digs out corruption among officials by orders of the emperor. Even high-ranking officials cannot act recklessly against an inspector, yet I knew the future where Jung Mun-won would be treated carelessly.
He was in charge of handling matters for the future princess.
To give a special effects analogy, Jung Mun-won is like that management character who cleans up the mess after the giant robot protagonist defeats the monster: the one responsible for tidying up the disaster scene.
He is clearly an official with a royal command, serving a truly extraordinary figure, yet he faces a future of eternal suffering. And here he is, asking to borrow money from me.
I covered my eyes with both hands and said,
“Sniff sniff. The great inspector Jung, you want my money? Even if it means I will have to live on hard morning bread and pure water tomorrow, I shall manage it for you.”
“N-no! Let’s pretend you didn’t hear that!”
As I exaggerated my crying, Jung Mun-won flailed his hands in surprise.
“Haha! Just kidding!”
“A-haha! You were… just joking?”
Feeling too sorry for him, I decided to lighten the mood with a bit of teasing.
“That kind of large sum you mentioned is impossible, but I think I can manage about a quarter of it right away.”
The amount Jung Mun-won mentioned wasn’t really a burden for me. But it was still too little to be easily given to someone in a workplace authority position.
‘He really must be a decent man.’
It’s a world rife with corruption.
Even someone like Ho Pil, who doesn’t even have an official rank, can extort money from market vendors, dine and dash, or demand bribes from related individuals—each person with their own unique way of squeezing out cash.
Especially an inspector tasked with exposing corrupt officials.
If I said I would cover up your wrongdoings, there isn’t anyone who wouldn’t cough up the cash. The fact that he is at a point of needing to borrow money means he must be a truly honest official without accepting bribes at all.
The emperor wouldn’t just appoint anyone as an inspector.
“Is it true?”
“Aren’t you a bit confused? I’ll give you a receipt, hoping you can extinguish your urgent fire.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, I handed him the receipt.
“…….”
Jung Mun-won looked back and forth at me and the receipt, uncertain if it was really okay to accept it so easily.
“Do you possibly not have enough to put out your urgent fire?”
“N-no, it’s not that…”
“Speak up!”
“Is it… is it that you won’t ask for the reason?”
Was he hesitating because of that, even as he asked to borrow money?
It would indeed be puzzling. Even if we’ve worked together on the Shadowless Thief case, we’re not close enough for me to lend money without a reason.
What assurance does he have that I would lend him anything? He could find it baffling. But you see, Inspector, I know your future.
“Why would someone whose house is on fire come running only to ask why it burned?”
“Huh?”
“The incorruptible inspector is here seeking money because he needs it. That signifies you’ve got yourself into quite the predicament. Hence, solving it comes first.”
Becoming friends with someone who will soon be snatched by an endless golden lifeline is never a lost cause. With a smile on my face, I spoke with trust.
“While I’m in a tricky spot too, that shouldn’t be a reason not to lend.”
“Did you not think of me when needing help?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“When you needed trustworthy help, did you not think of me, Kang Yoon-ho? Since you, the favored inspector of the emperor, trusted me, I must return that faith.”
A high-value stock in the official circle. It was a golden opportunity to invest in someone who would be thriving in the future. How could I not be ecstatic over that?
“……You.”
Of course, Jung Mun-won, who doesn’t know the truth, will see me merely as someone who trusts him without reason—a benefactor.
But that was all part of my plan.
“Haha! Even if you look at me with those eyes, it won’t net you a bigger amount. Just use that for your immediate needs, and if it isn’t enough, come back within two days, and I’ll have money ready for you.”
I presented the receipt to Jung Mun-won once more.
“…….”
“If you feel really heavy-hearted about it, next time you come, just explain your circumstances.”
The inspector hesitated, words lingering on his lips before finally bowing his head and saying,
“Thank you.”
———
“Is it okay to just lend him money like that? If things go wrong due to some little success, I could be in deep trouble.”
Who’s irresponsible now for spending recklessly?
As soon as the inspector left the mansion, I explained everything that had just happened to the waiting Miss Zhuge and Jeon Gil-san, their faces adorned with curiosity.
“Money can always be earned again, but chances to secure the good will of a desperate inspector are rare.”
Jung Mun-won appears as a supporting character reminiscent of a spice in the original route. Though he may seem like just a lowly official, he handles official duties without a hitch, designated with an imperial task.
If he seeks assistance, that’s a chance to win his favor—there’s no reason to reject him outright.
“…… That’s true. But wouldn’t it be a chance to collect?”
“Do you think a person who’s come asking for money would just hand over some cash? And anyway, he would be back.”
“Huh? Why’s that?”
While Jung Mun-won and I had teamed up for the Shadowless Thief case, we weren’t particularly close. So he wasn’t startled when I readily offered him money.
But why did he specifically come to me to borrow?
There must be a reason.
As I began breaking it down for my two puzzled companions:
“An inspector is one who holds an imperial command, thus possesses immense power relative to their rank. Hence, they’re often dispatched to towns or locations where they have no connections. Jung Mun-won ended up in Hubei Province and immediately started taking on actions against officials.”
The next answer was easy. With a beaming smile, I turned to Miss Zhuge for her guess.
“Oh, um…! He must have no friends?”
“Indeed, he has no friends!”
“Right. He probably has none.”
Jeon Gil-san and I shared a long glance at a certain someone.
“Why… do you all keep looking at me?”
Miss Zhuge appeared quite pitiful yet also somewhat right in her protest.
Miss Zhuge. It’s a misunderstanding. I was merely pleased with your accurate response.
What I truly wanted was for her to affirm that there’s nobody he could borrow from, and as she said he lacks friends, that was just too amusing.
“I didn’t intentionally lend just a quarter. I said to return in two days if you need more since they will certainly come back.”
“Heh!”
I took hold of the slightly miffed Miss Zhuge’s hand and had her sit next to me.
“It’s alright. I understand how being a drifter leads to few friends. Although, there’s a big difference between zero and one.”
Luckily, Miss Zhuge didn’t seem too upset, and with my slight teasing, she quickly returned to normalcy.
Though I could hear tch sounds of disdain nearby, I chose to ignore it.
“Then what’s the reason for sending back the inspector…?”
“Rather than shaking money loose from him, it’s better to gain his trust to create a bond to share. That way, it gives a good impression.”
———
“So, the next target is the inspector?”
Jeon Gil-san asked me while setting down his chopsticks on the dinner table.
This guy must be planning to sleep over.
As I subtly gave him a look, he picked up his food, and nonchalantly added that the side dishes were a tad salty today—he must be trying to play hard.
“I’m conflicted.”
I let out a small sigh.
“Why isn’t it easier since you know him?”
He borrowed several million, so go collect. Normally you wouldn’t bother unless you were feeling particularly desperate, would you?
Collecting debts inherently leads to some dirty situations.
Of course, with the Man Geum Battlefield on the line, I could bring back some cash from the inspector without too much conflict.
However, I certainly cannot act carelessly with him.
I have a reason that others do not know—something only I understand.
“……It would be foolish to open a window when you know an unavoidable natural disaster is approaching.”
The golden calamity that ushers in storms, the golden dragon causing whirlwinds. The legendary woman who brings forth nature’s wrath should never see the name of the wicked debt collector, Kang Yoon-ho, attached to her.
In the ledger regarding the Man Geum Battlefield, I’m not sure how the inspector ranks, but I can surely assure you: if there’s only one person I would say is off-limits from that ledger, it would be Inspector Jung Mun-won.
“What do you mean? Is it difficult just because the inspector is powerful?”
“Well, kind of. I’d rather not make enemies with an inspector.”
I may not know the background of the inspector in the story, but he bears the spirit of a righteous cop, one who wouldn’t lose his sense of justice despite poverty. The chance that he could easily overcome the Man Geum Battlefield issues is high.
If I were to slip between them and return the money without much friction, then all would be well. But if making friction is an option, I’d rather spend some money to gain his trust instead.
“Shall we look into a different route?”
Miss Zhuge cautiously refilled my empty cup with liquor and spoke.
“Thanks. Since I’ve already extended my hand, I’ll have to ponder this quite a bit. And there’s something I can’t quite understand.”
“What is it?”
“Unlike with the Three-Eyed Sword, there was no mention of why I lent money in the ledger. I didn’t put up any collateral either. Nor is the inspector’s salary particularly high. If a large sum was lent, there would surely be a basis, but since nothing is noted, it’s puzzling.”
Here comes an inspector deployed to Wuhan without connections.
It’s way too much money to spend as living expenses. The only guess I could have is gambling. But if my memory serves me correctly, there had never been any indication of him enjoying gambling.
“Hm… That’s curious.”
Jeon Gil-san, seemingly short on ideas, also absently picked up his chopsticks.
With the Three-Eyed Sword, the clue from the business led me to the problem, but this time it’s too overwhelming.
The liquor tasted somewhat bitter. Since it was the day I managed to solve the Three-Eyed Sword case, no need for gloom today. I raised my cup with a smile, and Miss Zhuge stared at me intensely.
“Um…”
“I’m all ears.”
She looked like she wanted to say something. I quietly waited for her to gather her thoughts.
“Some elders from the Zhuge clan mentioned that sometimes there are toxic relationships where you give someone poison knowing it’s dangerous.”
“Poison?”
“Poison? What are you talking about?”
Miss Zhuge hesitated, looking flustered at Jeon Gil-san’s question as she struggled to elaborate.
Poison? Eating something that could kill you implies…
“Are you referring to bribery?”
“Um, kind of similar.”
“Oh! So, giving money to officials means it’s beneficial whether they return the favor or not.”
I roughly understood her point.
“What do you mean? Explain that to me too. And refill my drink!”
I’ve certainly got my own share of greed. As I poured more liquor for Jeon Gil-san, I continued.
“From the standpoint of the Man Geum Battlefield, paying back translates to earning interest, while not paying back serves as a sort of shackle. If you can place a shackle on an inspector who wouldn’t accept bribes, it’s undeniably beneficial.”
It’s like giving a gift with strings attached. Once received, at some point, there’ll come a time when a small favor must be obliged.
“Oh!”
“Yes! That’s correct.”
Miss Zhuge, whether my comprehension matched hers, nodded her head joyfully in affirmation.
Seeing the different worlds we live in struck me afresh.
For me, wealthy families sponsoring politicians is a tale from far away, but for Miss Zhuge, it’s merely common occurrence.
It’s easy to forget, as she’s always around, but Miss Zhuge, with her bright smile, truly is the youngest daughter of the Zhuge family, the strongest martial family in Hubei Province.
“I’ll have someone investigate the inspector’s circumstances.”
Although I may not have gained any information, I resolved one of my questions. Time to make my moves.
———
“Sorry to show up so soon.”
Before information could make its way to me, a person was quicker.
“It’s alright. I’ve been waiting for your arrival.”
Never did I expect him to come knocking first thing in the morning. I held back my surprise and guided Jung Mun-won to the living room.
“Did you? That’s… interesting.”
“I’ll have some tea prepared.”
Jung Mun-won’s face was riddled with concern.
As I brought out the tea and the cold water in the cups began to warm, Jung Mun-won silently fixed his gaze upon me and the tea.
Please, explain what’s going on.
I could tell he was pondering if he should explain his circumstances to me. So I maintained a comfortable atmosphere, waiting patiently for him to speak up.
“I have someone special I care about.”
He finally broke the silence.
“Is it a woman?”
I could sense a complicated affection in his voice, and he didn’t deny my question.
“Before you appeared in Wuhan, I’ve been doing some undercover investigations to gather information. For that, I needed someone who wouldn’t raise suspicion while wandering around. Hence, I needed a woman with whom I could easily move around without attracting attention.”
“Did you take a courtesan with you?”
Courtesans are like the idols of this world. With suitable payment, you could even have them perform at a local concert.
Jung Mun-won carefully nodded in acknowledgment.
“Thanks to that girl, I managed to gather some crucial evidence. I almost got dismissed due to the pressure from the Head of the Branch, but… while conducting these undercover investigations, I made a promise with that girl.”
With the affection bleeding through his tone and mentioning he owed a debt to her, the conclusion was clear.
“Ah, you were seeking a miracle.”
“…I certainly was.”
“You were!?”
“That is… a very troublesome situation has arisen.”
Jung Mun-won, with a pained expression, struggled to continue.
Purchasing a bond with money happens quite frequently among the wealthy and officials. So the reason for borrowing substantial funds easily makes sense.
Then why is he glancing at me nervously now?
Unable to look me in the eyes, Jung Mun-won seemed unable to voice the truth.
But- why?
Hold on. Suddenly, a specific memory popped into my head.
The carp in that one container.
“Could you possibly…?”
I looked at the inspector with a tense glare.
Please, don’t let that be the case.
“Huh?”
Kang Yoon-ho comes from a family of merchants dealing with ginseng, naturally having knowledge about medicinal herbs.
I know for a fact carp…
“Did you impregnate the courtesan?”
The nourishing ingredients for one who is pregnant.
“…….”
Jung Mun-won simply squeezed his eyes shut in response.
