Why is Hwa-wol House counted among the top gila in Wuhan? I realized it in less than an hour after stepping inside.
“Thinking about the precious items that The Shadowless Thief stole makes my teeth grind. I should commend Ho Pil for his efforts today.”
The Head of Guards summoned the blue umbrella bearers to celebrate Ho Pil’s achievements.
There were definitely foods that could cover my daily meal expenses with just a pair of chopsticks, and drinks that even those who don’t enjoy alcohol would find delicious.
The dance and music of the courtesans happening right before my eyes was far too grand to be a performance just for me and the Head of Guards.
“Hehe. Is that all of the achievements of the illustrious Ho Pil?”
How much does it cost to entertain like this with a whole group of courtesans at Hwa-wol House? No, how much does the Head of Guards eat on a regular basis?
Does Gil-san know? While I was worried out of pure curiosity, Mae-hyang poured more liquor into my empty cup and spoke to the Head of Guards.
“Is there more?”
“You brought in countless murderers who could have remained untraceable forever. Recently, you even severely punished groups that attacked the gila and killed innocent courtesans.”
“What? I’ve never heard of such a thing before. Is that true?”
“The fake Shadowless Thief incident was also caused by that guy. The real culprit was laughing and trying to escape on a boat, and I couldn’t hold back my anger.”
“So that’s why you jumped off the building into the river!”
“I could hear the resentment and sorrow of the dead courtesans. I couldn’t just stand by and watch him escape on a boat, even knowing he was the fake Shadowless Thief.”
I spoke, my hands trembling like a hot-blooded detective about to take down the culprit, “Ho Pil…”
Despite Mae-hyang’s emotional gaze, I silently drained my cup.
Don’t be fooled. Hwa-wol House is a place that sells booze and smiles.
Even for a man’s unremarkable boast, the courtesans must present a business smile as if they saw the greatest man in the world.
Whether her emotional expression was genuine or a scheme to lower my guard, no one could know.
“Hoho. I never knew Mae-hyang could make such a face.”
As expected. Just as I thought. It was an ambush. How much did the Head of Guards pay her?
“Nowadays, the hottest topic among courtesans is Ho Pil. They’re all in a frenzy wishing to serve him at least once.”
“Really?”
Mae-hyang winked at me, looking up.
“You have no idea how hard I worked to secure this spot today, even the Head of Guards wouldn’t know.”
No way, am I known as a life-risking Ho Pil for the sake of courtesans’ revenge?
Because of the manipulation of public opinion to quell the infighting in Hawoong, my reputation seemed to be rising unexpectedly.
As I became lost in thought, Mae-hyang’s palm brushed against my inner arm.
Where? I lightly swatted it away. Don’t act like you’re surprised and disheartened. It’s obvious you’re acting. I don’t care if she has a crush on me or is playing a scheme with the Head of Guards.
There are women waiting for me. I can’t let this happen.
“Well, it seems Mae-hyang owes me a great debt.”
“Isn’t that why I’m sincerely serving Ho Pil at the Head of Guards’ command?”
Before I knew it!
Mae-hyang cheerfully replied, squeezing in through a small gap and linking her arm with mine. Truly a courtesan skilled in hospitality. Is this just a trivial obstacle to her?
Even trying to ignore it, I felt an irresistibly pleasant sensation on my arm.
Stay calm. I can’t let my emotions waver over such things. I wonder if it was because I was too indifferent, but the pleasant feeling against my arm grew stronger.
Don’t fall for it. If Gi-mun Hyang-ju or Im Ha-yeon finds out, I’m finished.
To some, a gila is a place to enjoy a man’s pleasure, but for me, it’s a place where all my misdeeds are broadcast live.
I managed to keep my head together.
“Wow. If Mae-hyang from Hwa-wol House is that close to someone, countless men would faint. Ho Pil, perhaps in Wuhan, you could be more famous than me.”
“With the Head of Guards’ reputation, which has maintained the court and Central Plains for decades like a touchstone, how can you compare it to my insignificant fame? I, Kang Yoon-ho, feel like a feather fluttering before Mount Tai and don’t know how to respond.”
“Ah…”
Naturally, I pulled my arm away and bowed my head halfway toward the Head of Guards.
“Mount Tai should now embrace the feather.”
“Huh…?”
The Head of Guards nodded as if the time has come and ordered Mae-hyang.
“Everyone else leave, Mae-hyang. Sing a song for us.”
—————
“Girl. I will offer a song.”
Is this how it feels to sit in the VIP section of an idol performance? If Im Ha-yeon debuted, she’d instantly be the unrivaled top idol in history, while Mae-hyang, despite being a few tiers below in looks, seemed to boast years of charm like a veteran idol singer.
Of course, my taste leans more toward visuals than singing ability.
“I’d like to ask the famous Ho Pil to help me with a small case.”
Finally, the time has come.
With Mae-hyang’s singing as background music, the Head of Guards subtly approached me.
I guess he wants the song to distract from our conversation. I approached the Head of Guards and opened my mouth with a serious expression.
“Excuse me, but is this related to the case I’m handling?”
“Yes. I hope the marketplace won’t be so noisy anymore.”
A brief command. The voice that just complimented me wasn’t the same; it held a tone of power that even an ordinary Ho Pil could not refuse.
“I will take my leave now.”
Of course, that didn’t work for me.
“Ho Pil!”
“Who told you to stop singing?”
His gaze filled with anger turned toward Mae-hyang.
“Sorry, I’m sorry!”
As Mae-hyang began singing again, the Head of Guards clicked his tongue and looked at me as if I were pathetic.
“The famous Ho Pil came all this way to act so foolishly.”
“I came here to listen to the parties involved.”
Even though I knew everything, why refuse? I answered with a firm expression before the Head of Guards’ questioning gaze.
“To listen? What did you want to do after that?”
“To handle it fairly. Isn’t that the duty of a police officer?”
I answered just like a police officer who acts according to principle.
A corrupt official and a respectable police officer. Ideally, I would throw the envelope offered by the police officer in front of the Head of Guards and storm out.
“Is it not because of the inspector’s coercion?”
“How could that be?!”
Now it was my turn to reel in the bait I had previously thrown.
“I heard Jung Mun-won has been leaving work early these days. They must have been planning to talk about something together today as well?”
No, he’s leaving early because his second wife is pregnant at home.
Of course, few people know about this since it’s not even been a few days and they haven’t had an official wedding.
“That’s a misunderstanding.”
As I denied with my words, my body revealed my flustered state.
I thought I was a firm police officer, but I proved to be a gullible one with room for negotiation.
“You pretended to have sharp hearing, but it seems only one ear was open.”
The Head of Guards smiled slyly as if he knew everything.
“……”
I should be acting embarrassed for having my secret revealed. Making an expression was quite difficult.
Imagine it.
Yes. I might not have known it was an April Fools’ punishment, but when I unexpectedly got confessed to by a girl from another class, and held her hand, only to see her expression sour in the next moment.
It’s embarrassing. So embarrassing. No, it hurts. I can’t believe I just thought of something so intense. Blood rushed to my head.
“Looks like one ear still isn’t functioning. So, I guess I need to open one of Ho Pil’s ears. Mae-hyang.”
“Yes, Head of Guards. I’ll bring it right away.”
Mae-hyang brought something out from the corner of the room as if it had been prepared in advance.
Is it money?
If she brought a box full of gold and told me to take the money, it wouldn’t be a bad deal.
“What is this…?”
What lay before me was unfortunately not a box filled with riches but a long cylindrical object. It seemed empty inside.
“I’ve been quietly listening, and it seems there’s another dishonorable phrase that comes attached to your title of famous police officer.”
Black-haired Barbarian.
The Head of Guards didn’t feel the need to mention it, but he gestured toward my hair while pouring himself a drink.
“I have never felt ashamed of the color of hair my parents passed down.”
“A wonderful son indeed. But not feeling ashamed of your parents isn’t enough; shouldn’t you strive to be a son your parents can take pride in?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Open it.”
What could possibly be inside?
I need to convince a police officer. Is there a warrant inside? Unable to contain my curiosity, I pulled out the contents of the tube.
What lay inside was a large piece of paper.
What was written within was something I never expected.
“A letter of appointment… to Head of the Police Officer?!”
The police officer doesn’t have a rank.
Unlike the minor officials of the Joseon dynasty, it’s not an official position, but rather a role assisting the administration.
Close to a public service job, you won’t get fired but will live your entire life with no promotions or salary increases, earning a small wage.
On the other hand, the Head of the Police Officer is an official title. Even a minor one can be appointed through passing the military officer exam, making it an undeniably official position.
“How is it?”
“Head of Guards! What on earth is this…?”
Why isn’t my name on the letter of appointment? It should have my name written next to the title of Head of the Police Officer.
Could it be?
The trump card to persuade me.
The Head of Guards nodded his head as if confirming my suspicions.
“If you just handle a small task for me, then I will also give you a small gift.”
