I helped the inspector, and Jung Mun-won agreed to be my shield, but it was a bit awkward to talk about the paper mill issue.
After the inspector Jung Mun-won lured the corrupt official Gu Jook, he cleverly took over the paper mill.
But now they want me to hold my head high? What is this nonsense?
When I raised my head with a confused expression, the inspector was looking at me as if he already knew everything.
“I said I would be your shield, but I was genuinely curious. A mere black-haired Ho Pil challenging the Head of Guards? I give you credit, but anyone else would think you’ve lost your mind.”
“That’s…”
“I know everything. The Joseon people suffering in the paper mill. You stepped in for your fellow countrymen, right?”
“…”
It was just a ruse to collect the debt, you know.
“Ah, so that was it.”
Jung Mun-won nodded with a knowing smile.
Wait, did he think I was doing this for the Joseon people?
Right. Even if they knew I was taking the succession exam, who would think a mere Ho Pil would concoct a strike incident to make the Head of Guards pay back money?
“How did you know that?”
No need to clarify the misunderstanding. I trembled my voice like someone whose secret was found out.
“There were workers from the paper mill shouting about it in the market. It didn’t take long to piece it all together. You’re the one leading the Joseon people living in Wuhan, right?”
“Leading? They’re just black-haired folks doing menial jobs because they have nowhere to go. They’re struggling to avoid falling into bad situations.”
He even found out I was the Huizhu of the Joseon Association. That’s actually good; it’s true I was doing some charitable work for the Joseon people.
“Yes, I heard the Joseon people praising you. Someone like you, who cares so much for his people, must have been outraged to see the ones working like slaves at the paper mill.”
I wasn’t helping out of some incredible sense of duty; it was because it benefited me. But since the inspector was looking at me pitifully, I had to empathize for a moment.
I remembered the rage I felt after an online game when I left my beloved items to a nearby blacksmith with a 90% success rate only for them to break. I had no one to complain to!
“…They left their homeland just to survive. They came to the Central Plains to live like humans, and now they’re living lives no different from slaves. It’s just… just unbearable!”
“I understand. Even though they’re citizens of the Central Plains, they face discrimination based on their hair color.”
“Even though I’ve gained undue fame in Wuhan, in reality, I’m just another black-haired Ho Pil running a small business. But the owner of the paper mill was someone who wouldn’t listen to any protests.”
That gear was something I earned after putting in countless hours grinding for game money!
Why did I have to go to that nearby blacksmith? I expressed my frustration, recalling the unfairness of the situation and my sorrow over my equipment.
“You must have felt frustrated. I can see why you came to me for help.”
“Originally, I was planning to stir up the trouble from below to let my people’s hardships be known and get a hit in on the Head of Guards with the inspector’s help, but the Head of Guards truly is the Head of Guards.”
“You said he called for you. What did he say?”
“He threatened me, saying if I didn’t stop the protest, he’d sell the paper mill to martial artists.”
I bit my lower lip, as if swallowing my anger.
“To martial artists?”
“The Head of Guards said, ‘just wait and see what happens to your fellow countrymen who caused this ruckus.’”
“That bastard Gu Jook threatened you?! A government official who should be looking out for the common people!!!”
Jung Mun-won frowned in disbelief at the Head of Guards’ statement.
“I thought I had him cornered and walked in triumphantly…it was my folly.”
“Haah. That greedy pig couldn’t have come up with such a scheme on his own… Maybe Gu Jook has some clever advisor.”
That would be me.
“All I could do was take back the paper mill that Lord Man Geum-jeon had put up for sale. I’m really… truly… embarrassed.”
I bowed my head as if I couldn’t bear to raise it.
“Hey! Why are you bowing your head? Didn’t I tell you not to?! Lift your head proudly!”
“How can I bear to lift my head?”
As I couldn’t lift my head, the inspector grabbed my shoulders.
“You stood up against injustice, rose up for your people, and dared to confront the rotten parts of the nation. A mere Ho Pil, standing against the Head of Guards!”
I thought there was a tough challenge waiting for me, so I took it, imagining I’d get recognized by Lord Man Geum-jeon right away.
“Didn’t I fail?”
“Failure?! I’m proud of your spirit!”
“In the end, it seems like I just filled my own belly.”
“This person…! Could it be my fault? Do I look like some kind of government official who hates rich people?”
Inspector, you seem unaware of what nickname you have among corrupt officials.
“Of course not. It’s just that I’m feeling guilty.”
I murmured with my face full of shame, nearly there but out of words.
“I heard you ensured the paper mill workers were treated fairly?”
“They should be able to live like humans.”
“And you raised their wages tremendously, gave them a day off every ten days, and allow them to take vacations every couple of months! I worry your paper mill might go under, and you’re busy feeling guilty for filling your own belly! Kindness has its limits!”
“Inspector…”
I looked at the inspector, struggling not to cry as I frowned deeply.
“Don’t be disheartened. You didn’t lose to one person, you saved over a hundred Joseon people. Let’s think of it that way.”
If the inspector sees it that way, then I have no complaints.
———
“My condolences about your brother-in-law.”
After finishing the tea I received, the inspector cautiously spoke, thinking my emotions had settled.
“At least you were able to catch the culprit.”
I nodded with a bitter smile.
“Your deceased brother-in-law would have applauded your actions today. I had heard of the legendary Ho Pil, Kang Yoon-ho, but seeing it live, it feels like the rumors were an understatement!”
“You saw?”
So he was indeed waiting to see me.
“I’ve never seen skills like that before in my life! It’s not like a fortune teller guessing by looking at faces, but you recognized people with one glance!”
“Just a small trick.”
I happen to be a VIP member of Haowon, so if I request information, they bring it quickly.
“I heard you used to follow people called legendary Ho Pil while you were in Joseon? They called you Seolrokheomju(說錄險走), right?”
“Just a nickname given jokingly because I used to annoy those legendary Ho Pils as a kid.”
Did he hear what I said to the Head of the Right Guards? I gave a wry smile, feeling awkward.
“Since you sought out teachers from a young age and learned, it’s only natural for you to be called a legendary Ho Pil.”
“Compared to them, I’m just a drifting Ho Pil who can scarcely be called legendary.”
Every time I traveled, someone would die in a closed-door murder case, or if I was out dining, someone would have to be poisoned for me to be called a great detective.
“Being humble… When you asked the suspect, ‘Who do you think I am?!’ I couldn’t help but cheer!”
“Haha. Thank you.”
“Uh….”
“What is it?”
“Sorry, but could you show me something?”
Jung Mun-won cautiously asked, avoiding my gaze as if embarrassed.
What is he talking about? No way.
“Are you talking about recognizing people?”
“I’m so curious!”
“Hahaha.”
“Don’t feel burdened; just tell me.”
No way. This isn’t some magic request. I’m not a real great detective!
Unable to ignore the inspector’s expectant gaze, I gave him a quick once-over. Nothing out of the ordinary.
‘Except he looks more tired than before… Aha!’
Suddenly, I recalled a piece of information only I knew.
“It would be better to take it easy at night.”
“What, what are you talking about?”
His reaction confirmed it; he definitely looked tired.
“Even though your second wife is still in her early stages of pregnancy….”
“I-I would never do that to Hong Ran! Even if she doesn’t follow the orthodox way, she’s learned from her sisters and insists… No! What am I saying!!!”
“Hahaha.”
“Ah, what a blunder to make a fool of myself in front of the legendary Ho Pil!”
Jung Mun-won let out a sigh mixed with laughter, facepalming.
“You should just be happy.”
“How do I explain this to my wife at home…?”
“How about sending a letter ahead of time, just like I did?”
I too was scared to get a reply, but I sent it anyway.
“A letter? That’s not a bad idea. Anyway, thank you for your hard work today. I’ve kept a person of high standing too long.”
“I’m actually relieved to unburden my heart. I’ll get going now.”
“Take care on your way back.”
“Only people like Ho Pil should really be officials for our country. But look at the country being swarmed by corrupt officials…”
Jung Mun-won gazed out as the day dimmed, thinking of the black-haired Ho Pil he had seen that day, one he had never encountered before.
‘He asked me to be his shield, and I thought he would just fulfill his own desires.’
For the country. For his people. Charging straight at the Head of Guards.
He had thought he would overlook the minor selfish desires of someone who helped him. Never did he imagine such an unexpected act would occur.
Jung Mun-won felt nothing but regret that someone of his kind had no great ambition for the state.
“Inspector, has the Ho Pil left?”
A clerk opened the door to the office and inquired.
“It’s not right to keep someone of high standing for too long.”
“Next time you two drink together, please call me! If I could just hear about Ho Pil’s exploits, I’d be happy to supply the snacks!”
“If I think of it, I will.”
“You promised! By the way, is there a report you need to bring up at this late hour?”
The clerk, nervous about the paperwork on the inspector’s desk that was meant to be processed today, asked cautiously.
“I was writing a letter.”
“What kind of letter… Ah, that makes sense. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to avoid tearing your hair out when you get back.”
The clerk was one of the few who knew the inspector had a second wife; he squinted and smiled.
“Ugh. Tomorrow I have lots of reports to handle…”
“Ah! You’re too harsh! I’ll head home first, and you should send a letter to your wife and then call it a day.”
“Right. You go on ahead.”
The inspector nodded to the clerk happily leaving and then turned back to the letter he was working on.
In front of the Head of the Branch and the threat of dismissal, Jung Mun-won showed no fear, but in front of his wife, he shrank into nothing.
How would he explain it? He had rewritten countless sentences he struggled with even during his civil service exam.
“Since I’m writing this letter, I might as well write one more.”
Gathering his courage, Jung Mun-won finally completed the letter to his wife and dipped his brush back into the ink.
It was a coincidence.
The scene where the legendary Ho Pil interrogated a suspect and revealed the culprit. He never imagined he would witness that scene from the government office.
Moreover, that Ho Pil had advised him to write a letter to his wife. Thanks to that, all his courage was summoned.
The inspector, because of this, felt an urge to write a letter to someone.
[Are you doing well?]
[The imperial palace is too small. You asked me to tell you any interesting stories outside the palace.]
[I’m not an interesting person, so there’s not much to write about. But I haven’t forgotten about you.]
[Just recently, I witnessed an exciting incident and thought to write you this letter.]
A letter meant for someone inside the imperial palace.
