“Heo Song’s corpse was found in a brothel, with half of his facial skin torn off.”
Heo Song. The true perpetrator of the Tang Family Rise impersonation incident. It’s shocking that the grandson of Man Geum-jeon was found dead.
“Who could have committed such a horrific act?”
“…….”
Me?
The constable stared at me intensely.
“It seems there’s been some misunderstanding…”
“When was the last time you saw Heo Song?”
“It’s not that recent; we met once before at Man Geum Library, that’s all.”
“I heard you were involved in the impersonation case with a writer named Ho Pil.”
So they think I’m a suspect, huh?
Luckily, they’re not pulling me in right away. I guess my name is just on the suspect list for now.
“Yes. Heo Song once posed as a fake writer and published a novel that I was working on.”
Since it seems they’ve done their homework, no point in dodging the issue. Better to just tell the truth.
“Don’t you think it’s too much of a coincidence that the author impersonation incident and the torn-off facial skin are linked?”
They impersonated a writer’s face, so does that mean someone wanted to tear skin off?
After thinking about it, even I, who enjoyed detective novels featuring a detective using spells that could take down an elephant with ease and those overly dramatic assassins hiding behind my grandfather’s name, have to admit that raises suspicion.
“I barely had a business-related clash with Heo Song. How could a person commit such a horrific act?”
I placed my hand on my chest and made the most unjust expression I could muster.
“I’ve heard that barbarians have a custom of killing people and skinning their faces.”
Where do all these barbarian rumors even come from? Why do they always refer to them as a race that wears facial skins and wields chainsaws?
“What?! Do you think they ride horses and are like barbarians?!”
“What do you take Joseon people for?”
“Oh, no, that’s not it…”
As soon as the other Joseon people in the inn heard, they erupted in outrage, causing the constables to flinch.
Good backup. I stepped closer to the constables, filled with the frustration of being misunderstood.
“Joseon is a nation that knows Confucius and Mencius. Even though I’m a foreigner, I’ve learned the Four Books and the Three Classics from a young age. How could I engage in such barbaric customs?”
That reckless fool Kang Yoon-ho might think of his master’s voice as white noise, but at least he learned something.
“Sometimes people in the Martial Arts World commit such deeds due to grudges.”
Then don’t mention barbarians! There are people worse than these so-called barbarians, committing atrocious acts!
“The impersonation issue has already been resolved. If you don’t trust me, ask Jeon Gil-san or the Man Geum-jeon for a more detailed explanation.”
As for my compensation, the ban on publishing Tang Family Rise, and support for my hat? I had no reason to hold a grudge any longer.
“Hmmm.”
The constable kept scrutinizing me as if hoping to find a clue in my demeanor.
“Constable, the story I heard from Man Geum Bookstore isn’t much different.”
“So? Who in the world committed such a dreadful thing…”
Have they already investigated from other sides?
“May I get back to my duties now?”
“Alright. For now, it seems there are no grounds for suspicion. Sorry to bother you when you’re busy, you may leave now.”
————–
“Damn those officials. Whenever they see someone with black hair, they’re bound to find something to cling to.”
The innkeeper sat me down in the chair opposite him, grinding his teeth.
“As long as they keep pulling at threads, we have to make our work even more thorough.”
“You have no idea how much trouble I went through to get Yungi Inn’s business license, dealing with those bureaucrats.”
“Fundamentally, they won’t even recognize anyone unless their hair color is black.”
The black-haired rogues can’t rely on public authority even when they’re wronged. I’ve learned that truth living in the Central Plains.
“That’s right… However, just to be sure, you haven’t actually skinned anyone, right?”
The innkeeper shot me a sideways glance, half-suspicious.
“Haha, why would you even think that?”
“No, it’s just that you were so reckless during the club leader inauguration, I had my doubts. And lately, Sam-gu seems to act as if he would die if you told him to.”
The fact that I had to dispose of plenty of black knife corpses during the inauguration must have left everyone on edge, even if I smiled back.
“It was part of my duties as the club leader. If I were to get caught, all Joseon folks in Wuhan would suffer, how could I do such a thing?”
Now, it’s time to toss back the innkeeper’s words.
“Ha. As expected of someone more suited for a position like the club leader, unlike someone like me.”
“But what are you doing over there? Surely you aren’t extorting money from the Joseon crowd.”
The innkeeper sat down and began jotting down names and amounts as the Joseon people lined up to give him money.
“Extorting? What are you talking about! Don’t just stand there, go greet people!”
“Nice to see you again since the inauguration ceremony!”
“Hello, Club Leader! Sorry for the late greeting!”
The innkeeper instructed the Joseon people to greet him, then started explaining what he was doing.
“I was taking care of the members’ funds.”
“Funds?”
“Even if there are buildings in the Central Plains, it’s not easy for black hairs to get inn licenses. So isn’t using a money store even better?”
“That sounds tough. There are only foreign folks and unregistered people without any connections around.”
Making a bank account as a foreigner is a hassle in modern times, so imagine doing that in a martial arts world setting.
“Exactly. Unless you’re running a business like the club leader or me, it’s basically impossible to use a money store. Even if it’s a hassle, I’m taking their money and putting it in the money store.”
“If that’s the case, then just pass it on to me.”
“That would just be more trouble. A stranger could appear out of nowhere asking for money, I wouldn’t know when they would come to reclaim it, and I’d have to inform the original depositors about the transfer. It’s better to just keep doing it myself.”
The innkeeper rejected my proposal as if it’s better to endure the hardship than to worry.
“You really have it tough.”
“Knowing it, just don’t skin me later.”
“Haha.”
“Damn officials come and ruin the mood. How about we close up and have a drink tonight?”
“Sounds good.”
That night, we had a small feast at the inn to celebrate my passing of the exam.
Though some of my Joseon acquaintances heard the rumor that it would be a big deal if the club leader took a dislike to them due to Heo Song’s death, we decided to let it be, as there was no way to deny that the rumor would circulate no matter what.
——
“Why didn’t you attend Heo Song’s funeral?”
One week had passed since the news of Heo Song’s death.
As I was preoccupied with running my business and contemplating how to expand, Jeon Gil-san visited my office.
“Why would I go to Heo Song’s funeral?”
I wasn’t going just to grab a bowl of noodles.
“True, that’d just make it worse.”
Jeon Gil-san clicked his tongue, wearing a sad expression. Even a scoundrel must feel some regret when a cousin dies.
“What’s happening with the case? The constables have been coming back a few times, being a real nuisance.”
They stopped coming for a while, perhaps because they couldn’t find any more leads.
As Jeon Gil-san slowly opened up, I questioned him.
“It’s bizarre. The corpse was found by the red-light district, and that’s where brothels, gambling dens, and all sorts of pleasures converge, so it’s a place where witness bodies get cleared out daily.”
“Perhaps he got caught up in a fight or was victim to a mugging.”
“But what’s strange is, it’s been said that Kang Yoon-ho had visited Heo Song’s mansion on the day he got missing, and now the body is discovered.”
“Could it be he was killed somewhere else and discarded?”
If it had been a long period of disappearance, it could suggest something other than an accidental killing.
“Right. Heo Song is a shrewd guy and had many enemies. That could explain why his face was skinned or that he died for some reason we don’t want to picture.”
Jeon Gil-san looked down, his tongue clicking as though the very thought disgusted him.
“The successor exam, right?”
“Exactly. That scoundrel Heo Song. If we hadn’t intervened, he would’ve dashed out with his Tang Family Rise sales. It’s also suspicious that he disappeared just before you stormed his mansion.”
So Heo Song was murdered right as he was about to take the successor exam.
If that’s the case, it would certainly cause trouble for even the widely revered Man Geum-jeon.
“Please have some snacks.”
“Thank you.”
Im Ha-yeon handed us some refreshments and sat at her desk, starting to listen to our conversation.
“So you didn’t skin anyone, right?”
Even Jeon Gil-san was inquiring. Does the impersonation incident and the skinned face really seem related?
“The Ho Pil impersonation problem has already been resolved between you and me. If you doubt me, shouldn’t I start doubting you too?”
“I wouldn’t! There are lines that a person must not cross! How could one commit such a horrific act against family!”
Jeon Gil-san began waving his hands in panic, clearly flustered.
Coming from someone who’s broken laws more than often, his protests against it seem rather out of place.
“If I weren’t someone who respected boundaries, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.”
Considering the wording around the Hwangcheon incident and the Tearing the Library incident, Jeon Gil-san, you’ve crossed lines I’m now able to jump rope with.
“Ugh, I concede.”
Jeon Gil-san nodded, perhaps left with no retort.
“Oh, by the way, I heard you’re dating my cousin Je-gal Hyang?”
“Where did you hear that?”
“I know nearly all my cousins, and I happened to have a bit of a connection with Je-gal Hyang.”
“Aha.”
Was it because Jeon Gil-san runs the Man Geum bookstore?
“That girl usually never leaves her room, but she came to the funeral and was looking around for someone. When I asked, I found out.”
“……So that girl was looking for Kang Yoon-ho, huh?”
Im Ha-yeon’s voice sharply pierced through.
“In the end, she only stayed for a moment and left pale, feeling nauseous as the crowd grew more.”
“Haha……”
Honestly, even I find it amusing regarding that sour girl.
“Anyway, my brother-in-law.”
“Yeah?”
“What?”
Did this guy just call me his brother-in-law?
“If I marry my cousin, you’ll be my brother-in-law, right? Brother-in-law. Family is important, you know.”
Jeon Gil-san stared seriously at me.
“Who’s brother-in-law to whom, exactly?!”
Right back at you, that’s what I’m wondering! Im Ha-yeon quickly jumped up from her desk, glaring at Jeon Gil-san.
“Jeon Gil-san, don’t you dare say things that don’t suit you.”
Even as we were arguing, Jeon Gil-san maintained his serious face and kept speaking.
“Despite our past encounters being unpleasant, we’ve already helped each other twice and become business partners, that’s a fact we can’t deny. Plus, we’ve shared countless drinking sessions. So…”
“Stop babbling and just get to the point.”
Here he is, trying to butter me up with no occasion!
“Ugh… Just lower my franchise fee a bit.”
“What?”
“After the funeral, my grandfather handed extra notes to each of his grandsons. He probably thought it wise to open a door considering those who had wrongdoings might resort to extreme methods.”
“So you’re saying you’re looking to open another franchise inn?”
“Brother-in-law, once I become the next master of Man Geum Battlefield, I won’t forget today’s kindness. I’ll make sure to show what family support looks like. So now, if you could just…”
“No. The contract conditions remain unchanged.”
I interrupted firmly.
“Damn! You won’t bleed a drop even with a poke!”
Even though you definitely bled out when I pricked you.
“If you don’t want it, don’t force it.”
“Ugh. I brought the seal! Hurry and stamp it!”
For some reason, this guy seems convinced he did a pretty solid job of franchising.
Exasperated, Jeon Gil-san finally sighed and stamped the second slave contract.
———
“With the franchise fee I got from Jeon Gil-san, I should be fine. But… Im Ha-yeon.”
Holding the contract with Jeon Gil-san’s seal, I called out to Im Ha-yeon, who seemed to be mumbling something while looking through the ledger.
“… Even though we insisted we were forced to…”
“Lady?”
“What is it?!”
Why is she shouting, scaring me?
“Please organize the current budget and write up a report. If Jeon Gil-san pays the franchise fee, we need to prepare to open a branch.”
“We can assess it, but I think it might not be enough. Even if it could work, we’ll likely need to spend every last penny.”
The food delivery business has been booming daily. However, it’s a different story to use the profits to open a branch for delivery food inns.
Given that we need to use carrier pigeons, we have to buy a multi-storied building instead of just one floor.
Additionally, we’d also need to remodel the inn and position ourselves where delivery orders would be frequent, so that initial capital injection is going to be significant.
“Why is property cost in Wuhan so darn high anyway?”
Even if Hubei Province’s capital is Wuhan, this is outrageous.
“… Since you’ve passed the first test, can’t you relax a bit?”
“Man Geum-jeon or Si-mun Hyang-ju would be hoping my business grows, so I must keep pushing forward.”
The business needs to expand, and I’ll also need to employ plenty of Joseon people from the Hawo-mun Si-mun.
“Money doesn’t just fall from the sky. We have to make profits through dealings and work. There are no immediate viable options here.”
“That’s what you say. Money doesn’t just fall from the sky… Wait a second.”
Money falling from the sky?
Is there really no way to cover the deficit? No, there is.
An idea that only I can use.
“Innkeeper!”
I hurriedly left my office to find the innkeeper.
“Why?”
“You mentioned you keep money from the Joseon folks and put it in the money store, right?”
“Oh? Why do you ask?”
“Please show me those ledgers.”
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