Ma Yang-baek was the ultimate wastrel among wastrels.
Even the infamous Man Geum-jeon acknowledged his maternal grandfather, yet he was such a hopeless brat that his eldest daughter paid excessive attention to him, barely hiding her disdain.
Sure, if Ma Yang-baek was systematically murdered by Ojakin Yang-heo, there must have been a reason behind it.
Perhaps he had a hobby of tap dancing at 3 AM, causing noise complaints, or he used to throw hangers to insult his opponents when fighting, or maybe he raised his child to be a cross-dresser against their will.
But to say the motive was because he was a murderer?
Even knowing that Ma Yang-baek was the ultimate wastrel, it was an utterly unimaginable reason.
“W-wait, a murderer?!”
“Was Kang Yoon-ho’s brother-in-law a murderer?”
The idea of the victim being a murderer was so hard to believe that it sparked uproar around us.
“Do you think I killed him for no reason? Ma Yang-baek!!! He was the real murderer!!!”
Ojakin Yang-heo shouted as if pleading with the crowd.
This is absurd.
Are you saying you have a backstory too? It feels like some gloomy tune should be playing in the background, accompanying this story of woe.
Uuuh… Uuuuuh…
Wait, I can actually hear it.
“What are you doing?”
“I used to roam around with the gossipers. At times like this, a melancholic tune enhances the atmosphere!”
No way.
If a gloomy song plays, it means the murderer is bad, but the victim had reasons to be murdered too.
“Ma Yang-baek. That rascal was the filth of the world.”
Are you seriously trying to sway public opinion right in front of me? I’ll never allow it. I quickly activated the Small Wheel Mental Image Technique.
“The murderer!!! Now you even want to spit on my brother-in-law’s corpse!!!”
Before people could even think that Ma Yang-baek deserved to die, I let out a resounding shout that echoed through the yard.
“Ugh…!”
I could feel the crowd’s attention shifting from the murderer to me. Public opinion is all about the spotlight. Capitalizing on Yang-heo’s confusion, I shouted quickly.
“Now you covered up the murder and disguised it as a suicide, yet you’re still lying after getting caught!”
I had no idea if the murderer was lying or speaking the truth, but why the focus on me? I yelled at Yang-heo while trying to persuade the crowd at the same time.
“I merely intended to express my own grievances!”
Caught in the moment, Yang-heo attempted to defend himself as if he knew it was his only chance.
“The deceased is weeping in the afterlife! The murderer here is trying to belittle the victim!!!”
The mention of the victim as a cheat code made the audience nod in agreement.
Yang-heo bit his lips in frustration and glared at me. As if I would grant him the opportunity to speak.
‘Who would want to hear that a dead son was a murderer?’
Whether he was telling lies or truths, I had to prevent any bad rumors from spreading to gain my aunt’s good favor.
“That’s not it…!”
“Shut up!!! What are the constables doing right now!!!”
The constables are the real issue. Why are you all idly curious? Just tying him up isn’t enough; you should seal his mouth as well.
“We’re sorry!!!”
“Quickly, grab him!”
Finally, Yang-heo’s mouth was sealed.
With a look of sorrow that was hard to hide, I addressed the crowd.
“My brother-in-law was a kind person who warmly embraced me, who has black hair!!! I barely held back my desire to tear him to shreds dozens of times while interrogating you! You’re turning the eyes of the bereaved crimson with tears!”
It’s all a misunderstanding. That guy is lying. I’m so mad I can’t hold it in. I physically expressed it, and the officials looked at me with pity.
“Tsk tsk tsk.”
“What? Was it a lie after all?”
“Criminals always say they’re innocent.”
“When I caught that rapist last time, they claimed the quiet woman was tempting them. Damn scoundrel.”
“Criminals don’t deserve to be believed.”
“Ugh! Ugh! Ughh!”
Yang-heo, feeling wronged, tried to shout with his mouth sealed, but no coherent words were getting through.
‘The motive for the murder can be explained in the interrogation room.’
In mystery stories, the dealer of a criminal’s backstory is always listened to, whether it’s a lie or the truth because there’s no harm in listening. But would anyone care to listen when family honor is about to be shattered?
In the end, Yang-heo’s final words were silenced, and I effectively overlooked his remarks.
——
“I hear you muted the murder.”
“Muted the murder?!”
Ojakin Yang-heo’s motive for killing quickly spilled out in the interrogation room.
“It seems that the deceased Ma Yang-baek approached Yang-heo and promised him a fortune if he helped forge a document about the dead Hong-gi.”
Upo-do frowned, clearly taken aback.
“So, did my brother-in-law do something to that courtesan?”
“That’s what Yang-heo claims. Either way, it was just some lowly Hong-gi. No one would mourn him anyway, so he helped him out.”
“Ojakin, taking money to tamper with evidence? He’s been rotten to the core from the start.”
Where has your professional ethics gone?
“The problem came afterward.”
“Afterward?”
“Ma Yang-baek blackmailed Yang-heo about the money he received. He demanded that every time a corpse was brought to him, Yang-heo would take care of it. In the end, it seems he helped out a few more times.”
“……”
I was momentarily at a loss for words.
What a truly clueless wastrel. He received money and blackmailed the guy? Handled corpses as well?
“They say on the day Ma Yang-baek was killed, he contacted Yang-heo to clean up another courtesan. Yang-heo could have chosen to help, but…”
“He chose another route.”
In Yang-heo’s eyes, disposing of a dead body already gone versus one yet to die would seem the same.
“Did you say he struck with the Mingmen Point in one hit? Yang-heo isn’t a seasoned martial artist, but he is a skilled Ojakin. He must know how the human body dies, and since they were acquaintances, it would be easy to target the Blood Point when the victim was off guard.”
I barely suppressed a sigh that was about to escape.
‘There’s no such thing as a wastrel like this.’
When Man Geum-jeon subtly looked down on Ma Yang-baek, I was curious about his actual level.
Even though the education of grandchildren is the responsibility of the daughters’ in-laws, it’s not as if he bears no blame in this.
I didn’t want to understand, but I felt a bit of sympathy for Man Geum-jeon, who wanted to hang on to me by any means possible.
‘Was Ma Yang-baek on a spree of pleasure due to heartbreak?’
If Yang-heo’s words were true, I could guess why Ma Yang-baek had disappeared for a month.
He probably went on a courtesan tour to ease his heartache. Then his old habits kicked in, and he did something terrible to Hong-gi.
Of course, if the murderer’s statement was indeed true.
“Murderers often lie to lessen their guilt.”
I didn’t sympathize with Ma Yang-baek, but I organized my thoughts and defended him. There’s no need to blindly trust everything a criminal says.
“That’s true. After killing someone, what kind of nonsense wouldn’t they say to save themselves? If any new information comes up through the interrogations, I’ll let you know.”
“Thank you for your hard work today.”
“You’ve truly worked hard! I realize now why I call you the Great Ho Pil!”
Upo-do patted my shoulder with an excited voice.
“I was just doing my part to clear my brother-in-law’s name.”
“Those criminals will probably wet their pants upon hearing your name!!! Oh dear! What am I saying? Do you have some time?”
“What’s the matter?”
“The Head of Guards wants to thank you for resolving this matter safely because of you and seems to want to grab a drink with you.”
So that’s what this is about.
“I’m currently in mourning…”
It’s not like I’m drinking with a pretty lady. I’d prefer to avoid drinking alone with a gross, fat pig who accumulated wrongful wealth.
“I understand! Does the Head of Guards seem like someone who wouldn’t understand such things? He’s just asking when you’re free.”
Is there no way to dodge this?
I guess I’ll have to go for it. Might as well earn some points.
“Could you tell him I’ll visit him once my urgent matters are finished along with Upo-do?”
“W-what? Me?!”
Upo-do pointed to himself with a shocked expression.
“If I drink with the esteemed Upo-do, the scene will surely be more enjoyable!”
You’re acting like the errand boy just to mingle with the Head of Guards, and I’m preparing a gathering for the three of us.
Through this unavoidable drinking session, I was firmly establishing another connection.
“Oh! This kid…! Not only catching the criminal but also moving hearts!”
Upo-do suddenly must have had a sneeze, as he pinched his upper lip while speaking to me.
“Haha, you flatter me. But I should probably head out; I’m worried about my aunt, who’s grieving.”
“Sure. You must be busy, so go on. I’ll make sure that neither you nor your aunt suffers due to Yang-heo’s nonsensical remarks!”
“I appreciate that.”
“This kid! No need to appreciate it! If you run into any trouble, just come to me anytime!”
As I was quickly promoted from “you” to “friend” in no time, I left with a grand farewell from Upo-do.
——
“Are you done with your business, Great Ho Pil?”
As I was about to leave the government office, I heard a voice full of familiarity.
“Inspector Jung Mun-won?! What brings you here?”
The person blocking my way was Inspector Jung Mun-won.
“What do you mean, ‘what brings me here’? Isn’t this my office?”
“Haha! Now that you mention it.”
“Come, let’s go to my office for a moment.”
I had just managed to shake off the Head of Guards, and now the inspector was looking for me. Why are all these men seeking me out? I thought foolishly as I followed the inspector.
“What can I do for you?”
As soon as I took a sip of the tea the inspector offered me, I cautiously asked.
“… It’s about the Head of Guards.”
Jung Mun-won spoke slowly, cautiously.
“Aha. I was about to discuss that with you in a few days.”
Debt collection finished today; I was going to report back shortly.
“I heard that the Head of Guards’ jurisdiction has come under your control?”
“……”
Unexpectedly, a sharp dagger pierced my heart. Did he find out about that?
Of course, he’s the inspector. I planned to speak carefully as soon as the case was settled, but he got straight to the point.
“It seems to be true.”
“I’m embarrassed.”
I lowered my head, looking apologetic.
I had a valid reason prepared, but I mustn’t be overly brazen. In the end, I took advantage of the inspector and came out with a big gain.
I had to maintain a submissive posture as best I could.
How am I supposed to open my mouth?
While I contemplated briefly, a more unexpected statement erupted.
“Why are you bowing your head, my friend? Don’t be disheartened! This is a rare opportunity! Lift your head with pride!”
“…What?”
