[Looking at your expression, it seems you had no guests today either.]
“Zheng Guanghe returned just past lunch, around the time the sun was setting. The landlord, seeing my discontented face, said.”
[Well, thanks to the landlord, it seems I might get my first customer.]
[That’s good. The first step is always important. But what’s with that expression?]
“My first consultation fee vanished into the driver’s wages thanks to the landlord’s indifference. I thought about snapping at him, but recalling his promise to reduce this month’s rent, I barely managed to hold back.”
[…So, was the matter you tossed aside resolved?]
“He probably wouldn’t care at all. It wasn’t that he lacked consideration; more like he just didn’t care unless it was important. I asked, feeling a bit dejected.”
[Well, you’ve thrown out the net.]
[You seem to have time until a reaction comes in.]
“Rather than scolding him, I decided to seek a way to satisfy my curiosity.”
[Come on, you could at least answer the question of a physician happy to greet his first guest.]
“Was it because things went well? Zheng Guanghe nodded enthusiastically.”
[What on earth do you do? I understand why you behaved oddly, but there’s still something I don’t get.]
[What’s that?]
[Why are you doing this? Even if you’re not an official, you’re helping the investigation.]
“I finally managed to voice the question I had been curious about all day.”
“I feel the same way. Why help the officers when you’re not one?”
Elder Oh also nodded at Kang Joon’s question.
I could tell that Zheng Guanghe was quite skilled. I understood why he was acting strangely. But something was missing.
Why on earth?
Why is Zheng Guanghe doing this? The protagonist answered Elder Oh and Kang Joon’s curiosity succinctly.
[Only incompetent authors are left.]
[Huh?]
[It’s not meant to be derogatory. I’m just stating facts. The officers may be skilled at subduing thugs and chasing thieves, but they’re mostly clueless about murder cases.]
[I understand there are experts in the government called ‘woo-jak-in.’]
[Woo-jak-in! Were there corpses on the ghost ship today?]
[…….]
[Corpses tell many things. But they don’t tell everything.]
[Yes, I was surprised too when I saw a corpse.]
[What’s the usual method for investigating a murder? They focus on the corpse and just casually write down the surrounding circumstances. Then they come in with filthy feet and mess up all the evidence. What’s the result? They can’t find the culprit. It’s probably something a martial artist did. They just throw their hands up.]
“Zheng Guanghe clenched his fist in response to my question. It clearly wasn’t intentional. After all, his eyes, responding to me, looked either angry or full of extreme dissatisfaction with the world.”
[Sure, it may seem unsatisfactory to you, but it’s not wrong per se, right? I remember when a newlywed lady next door died when I was a child. The officers came and discovered that her mother-in-law was the culprit.]
[And that’s exactly the problem.]
[Huh?]
[The current investigation method relies on circumstantial evidence. It’s not about finding the culprit through evidence but prioritizing those who seem like they could be the culprit based on the situation.]
[Isn’t that how investigations work?]
“Of course, when a murder happens, shouldn’t we first find suspects and then look for evidence that fits?”
Elder Oh could only mutter in surprise as Zheng Guanghe denied such a seemingly obvious method.
[When you establish the answer first and then present evidence, any evidence that doesn’t fit is discarded and often ignored. Evidence ceases to be evidence.]
[But.]
[Right. In a sparsely populated village, it might not be a bad method. The number of suspects is low. But what about when you can’t pinpoint a suspect? Isn’t it strange that such a method is used everywhere? Especially in a place like Wuhan, where people frequently come and go.]
“Cough! There are cases where the existing method cannot be used for investigation. That’s true! But who’s going to investigate with a new method? No way! Could it be because…?”
A new investigation method is needed, not the existing one. Elder Oh remembered the protagonist’s mystical ability.
[You mentioned ‘deduction.’ Observing countless traces and finding evidence. Surely, it was an astonishing ability I’ve never heard or seen about.]
[My ability isn’t something anyone can easily replicate. But it could be of help to someone.]
“A completely new investigative method. Only after listening to his explanation did I recall his unusual title.”
[Detective. Is that Zheng Guanghe’s alias?]
[You’ve probably seen scouts observing enemy lines on the battlefield. They could gauge the enemy’s size just from the smoke of a boiling pot and read morale from the enemy’s face.]
[Even outside the battlefield, there are such perceptive people in the world.]
“Why does he call himself a detective? And why does Officer Jung accept that title? It was then that I realized.”
[That’s exactly it. But unlike on the battlefield, there’s much more to know about incidents. You have to diligently practice while accumulating knowledge, always polishing it so you can pull it out all at once when needed.]
“I couldn’t help but feel short of breath when I saw Lawson Zheng nodding with one corner of his mouth raised.”
“In the battlefield, a scout is chosen for being the most astute of the unit.”
“A person who trains and studies diligently, risks their lives going into enemy territory to dig out information. They greet us with a smile, walking a path they can never return from.”
“A detective. How do I view the detective at the scene of an event?”
“A journey called training and study that could be deemed eccentric. Exceptional observation and intuition that can be utilized anywhere. His deductions, harmonized into one.”
“No one is there because they want to be. They belong there because it’s only right they should handle the matter.”
“I could find only one word to evaluate the genius before me.”
[You’re a righteous hero.]
“Ha…”
A black arrow made of ink pierced Elder Oh’s heart. Though it struck unexpectedly into the vulnerable spot of my heart, rather than pain, warmth spread in my chest.
[Please don’t misunderstand. I’m doing this because it’s interesting.]
[I guess you’re also a freak.]
[Huahahaha!]
“Zheng Guanghe chuckled, clearly delighted by my response.”
“Hohoho… It’s not a story about the Martial Arts World, but a tale of heroes.”
Elder Oh watched the scene, a chuckle escaping his lips.
The story of Ho Pil ultimately became the story of a hero. How can a tale that shows new stories and new protagonists still showcase that they all walk the path of a hero?
“Ho Pil. What a frightening child. I never expected you to bring such a tale.”
For some reason, Elder Oh turned the next page with slightly trembling hands.
————
[Officer Jung! I’ve been waiting. Please come in.]
“As the deep blue darkness began to settle, I hurried to the door at the sound of a frantic knock, and there stood Officer Jung. Did he come because his shoulder was in very bad shape? I guided him in as a physician to greet my first customer.”
[Sorry, I didn’t come as a customer.]
[You came looking for the landlord, didn’t you?]
[It feels bad to return without an appointment after coming here three times a day. Next time, I’ll bring another customer with me.]
[I’ll appreciate that.]
[Where’s the detective?]
[Please follow me.]
“His visit at night likely indicates something serious regarding a case. As I was also curious about the incident, I guided Officer Jung to the landlord.”
——
[I’m thinking of giving up on the investigation.]
“What Officer Jung announced stunned us.”
“What?! Giving up? An officer is going to abandon a murder case?!”
Elder Oh stared incredulously, gripping his book.
[What do you mean giving up all of a sudden?]
[The upper-ups want things wrapped up.]
[You want us to tidy up something we just started?]
[…Do we really need to involve officials in the Martial Arts World?]
“Even as Officer Jung spoke, he couldn’t bear to meet our gaze. It was clear that this situation wasn’t something he desired.”
[You need to speak straight. It’s not that there’s no need; you’re just too chicken to step in.]
“The principle of official non-involvement. I’ve heard of it before, but when you think about it, it’s not quite that impressive. Just like what Zheng Guanghe just said, it meant giving up on a bothersome case for officials.”
[The killer was someone who jumped from the fourth floor of the inn. We should be dealing with that guy, but instead, it’s the constables with wooden clubs.]
“Officer Jung let out a deep sigh.”
[The captain wasn’t a martial artist.]
[Isn’t that the conclusion already? They claim the crew was attacked by pirates, and the captain barely escaped, but in the end, concluded he couldn’t avoid his gory death.]
[If you want to quit, then quit.]
“Zheng Guanghe’s eyes were cold. I couldn’t tell if he was the type to be heavily disappointed in people, but his gaze held a unique discontent that someone robbed of a great offer would have.”
[……]
[I’m not after any grand reward, so I don’t care about that. Whether Officer Jung lives his life as a petty official or not, it’s none of my business.]
[W-wait!]
[Just when I thought things were being sorted out. Go back.]
[H-Hold on! Are we really getting somewhere?]
“Just as someone grasping for hope caught Zheng Guanghe’s sleeve.”
[…….]
“After having once expressed his refusal, Zheng Guanghe’s mouth didn’t easily open. To pry open that frozen door required determination. Officer Jung looked at Zheng Guanghe’s cold face, and with a face brimming with resolve, began to speak.”
[Alright. It’s not like I want to rot in this lowly post for my whole life.]
[Method?]
[I’m a civil servant who passed the martial arts exam too! So I’m not without my tricks! But… there’s a condition.]
[You’re in no place to ask for conditions!]
“Officer Jung could only lower his head at Zheng Guanghe’s painful sarcasm.”
[I-I’m not asking for anything grand! I just want some kind of guarantee!]
[A guarantee? You don’t mean you want me to stamp something, right?]
[Your word will do! They say a man’s word is worth more than gold! Especially when it’s Zheng’s word! So I want to hear your assurance that you’ll definitely resolve this!]
[So, does that mean Zheng Guanghe will definitely reveal the culprit, is that what you want me to say?]
[Well, that sounds a bit lacking. I’m risking my neck here!]
“Officer Jung couldn’t help but feel desperate towards Zheng Guanghe’s uninspired expression. Did his sincerity reach him? Or was it simply because he wanted to see the end of a case he had already started?”
“Zheng Guanghe seemed deep in thought, and then he uttered something unbelievable.”
[……I’ll stake my name on it.]
[What?]
[W-wait, what did you just say?]
“In an instant, I had to doubt my hearing, as I had never suspected it before.”
“What on earth did he just say?!”
[In the name of my ancestor, I will reveal the culprit.]
“What?!”
“Whaaaaaat!”
“This kid?!!!”
“Is he insane?!”
“W-what is he saying?!!!”
That day, screams erupted from every member of the Elders’ Council concerning the Zheng family.
