“_The Shadowless Thief_ has appeared again!”
As Im Ha-yeon jumped over another wall, the frequency at which people mentioned the Shadowless Thief began to rise.
“Was it a black paper crane again this time?”
“Yeah. Just a black paper crane was left lonely in the jewelry box!”
“Who got robbed this time?”
“You know that infamous rich guy, right? Famous for his wicked loan sharking…”
“Last time it was that notorious tavern owner who got robbed. Is it someone else this time?”
“There are just too many notorious rich folks in Wuhan.”
“What’s so special about this Shadowless Thief, anyway?”
“Has this guy not read _Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes_ that’s making a ruckus in Wuhan?”
As more people tuned in to the news about the Shadowless Thief, the reputation of _Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes_ grew.
“_Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes?_”
“The phantom thief Shadowless Thief from there has now appeared in Wuhan!”
“What on earth does that mean?”
“If you’re curious, read _Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes_!”
The talk of the Shadowless Thief and _Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes_ was a hot topic, bringing in tension after the ghost ship incident had left Wuhan feeling quite relaxed.
———
“It seems the strategy of promoting each other is working well.”
I said to Im Ha-yeon while reading the materials sent from the government office in my mansion’s office.
“I heard from So-so that, unlike Yichang, there are people joining the Tea and Book Club who encounter Ho Pil’s novels for the first time through _Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes_.”
“……”
It’s a bit of a dilemma. It’s good news that die-hard readers are increasing, but it’s also a bit troublesome.
“G-Great Master, is something bothering you?”
Did Jeong Hyang notice my mood darkening a bit? She asked with a worried face.
“It’s nothing much. I was just contemplating the future operations of the Tea Bookstore.”
“The operations of the Tea Bookstore?”
“It seems preparations for fans of _Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes_ at the Tea Bookstore are somewhat lacking. There’s a menu for the Tang Family’s wind and cloud, but no menu for _Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes_ yet.”
Gotta make money, after all.
“Ah… y-yes.”
“Ugh! Can you please avoid bringing up Ho Pil’s face in relation to my remarks?”
They really didn’t need to look so horrified. Sure, I admit it’s a bit of sinister marketing from the reader’s perspective.
“Haha. Were you disappointed?”
I said with an awkward laugh on purpose.
Yeah. Go on, rant away. I can’t even guess how many mouths I’ll have to feed; I just need to work hard.
Is this the sadness of being the head of the family? My shoulders are already feeling heavy.
Im Ha-yeon looked at me, sighed softly, and spoke up.
“…If you’re getting labeled as a wicked merchant, then the Shadowless Thief might need to make a move too. Let’s brainstorm some good menu ideas together.”
“Im Ha-yeon…”
I’m touched.
“I-I’ll help too!”
Jeong Hyang looked at us and, bowing her head, came closer to say.
“Yes, let’s come up with ideas together.”
“Sure. And it seems not just _Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes_, but Shimon and Kimun are also being actively supportive. They say that after one visit at night, everyone at the tavern was talking about my story.”
“Because it’s Im Ha-yeon and not just anyone, right?”
“Because it’s me?”
Im Ha-yeon tilted her head and asked.
“How could the gossip of the courtesans and young men about which rich family got robbed become a hot topic? The case of the thief Shadowless Thief! That’s something unheard of; of course, it’s a topic!”
Of course, Shimon’s help is significant. However, while the locals can influence the chatter of the courtesans and young men, they can’t dictate talk amongst everyone.
The fact that the gossip about the Shadowless Thief is endlessly being reproduced is largely due to the exceptional nature of the Shadowless Thief’s activities, which keeps people’s curiosity piqued.
“So it’s only possible because of you and me. It’s the Shadowless Thief we’ve created together.”
Im Ha-yeon said with a gentle smile directed at me.
“Is that how it works?”
Being recognized as the planner behind the Shadowless Thief feels pretty good.
“Um… excuse me… ah, I didn’t mean that.”
“Miss Zhuge, do you have something to say?”
Are you asking for recognition as a middle manager between planner and executor? Well, of course, I’d recognize that.
“Ah, um, that… because of _Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes_. I think people might start catching on about the Tea Bookstore’s connection.”
What Jeong Hyang brought up was something I had not anticipated at all.
“True, I heard something similar from So-so. They’re concerned about whether the Shadowless Thief is somehow related to the Tea Bookstore.”
In fact, opinions among readers about the Shadowless Thief and _Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes_ are widely divided.
Some believe it’s just a crazy coincidence, while others insist it’s completely unrelated, even suggesting it was a prediction by Ho Pil.
Among them, there were those cautiously proposing that perhaps the Shadowless Thief had some link to the Tea Bookstore or was influenced by _Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes._
“Well, we already have our countermeasures… Hm? What’s going on?”
What’s this? I was trying to keep the conversation going when a government officer showed up.
“Great Master Kang Yoon-ho! There’s a guest here, saying it’s urgent.”
A guest? Is it someone from the Joseon expatriate association? Or perhaps a staff member from the Tea Bookstore?
When I asked the officer, they just shook their head, indicating it was neither.
Who could it be?
Still puzzled, I made my way to the front door, only to find a constable standing at the entrance.
“You look familiar… but who are you?”
It wasn’t a face I was seeing for the first time, but I couldn’t place who they were among the constables.
When I acknowledged him, the constable showed a pleased expression and answered.
“Ah, it’s none other than the great Master! I remember seeing your face a few times at the Tea and Book Club. I’m Constable Jeong, working as a low-level constable at the government office.”
A constable from the Tea and Book Club. I’m not feeling particularly good about this. What could it be?
“Ah, so you’re from the Tea and Book Club. But what brings you here alone, Constable Jeong?”
Maybe he’s here for some government work. I should put on a friendly face to charm him, hoping to avoid any annoying issues.
Constable Jeong had a serious look as he answered my question.
“I came today as a member of the Tea and Book Club to deliver a request.”
“A request?”
I asked with a puzzled tone, and he glanced around before looking back at me.
“Since there are many eyes around, may we talk inside?”
“Please, come in.”
——
It doesn’t do Ha-yeon any good to catch unwanted attention. Officially, she should be at the tavern, not the mansion.
I relayed to the officer to ensure Ha-yeon and Jeong Hyang didn’t come nearby, and then guided Constable Jeong into the living room.
“In the next few days, the constables will be visiting Great Master Kang.”
Constable Jeong said after taking a seat and sipping the tea offered by the officer before revealing the purpose of his visit.
“Constables?”
“It seems that the wealthy who were victimized by the Shadowless Thief have requested an investigation from above to probe the connection between the Tea Bookstore and the Shadowless Thief.”
So they couldn’t just sit still after being robbed. I guess they spent some money on the officials.
“A connection to the Tea Bookstore? This must be a huge misunderstanding.”
Let’s play the innocent card for now. I’ll deny the connection. I waved my hands and widened my eyes.
“Of course, it’s a misunderstanding. Great Master Kang is known as a celebrated constable who resolved the tragic ghost ship incident where the postmen were brutally murdered. To link you with a thief is outrageous!”
Constable Jeong clenched his fist as if he felt wronged.
“It’s embarrassing for someone to say that, especially a genuine constable.”
“There’s no need to be humble. Since this incident involves martial artists, even the government was hesitant. But now that a Joseon person has resolved it, from low-level constables to the higher-ups, everyone’s been amazed and impressed!”
If I mention how I, a mere mortal, solved the case of the postmen being brutally murdered and robbed in the Lush Green Post Office, it appears I might have elevated my standing quite a bit in Jeong’s mind.
Of course, I only acted to get my stuff back.
“Haha, thank you.”
“Even I and a few constables were discussing the ghost ship incident resolved by Great Master Kang, insisting on your innocence, but it seems that the higher-ups weren’t listening.”
“That sounds troubling. If they’re coming for an investigation, it certainly won’t be for benign reasons.”
I feigned concern, wearing a serious expression.
“I understand your frustration. It seems a thief like from a novel has appeared, and the immediate move is to investigate the Tea Bookstore. What exactly would they gain by accusing the renowned author, Ho Pil, and Great Master Kang of being linked to a thief? It’s nonsensical!”
Sorry, but it actually does make sense.
Constable Jeong was visibly frustrated, thumping his chest.
“Especially with everything going on, to have the government sending people here…”
“I apologize. As a low-level constable, all I can do is to urge you to prepare yourselves in advance.”
Constable Jeong seemed trembling with indignation.
Is he here out of frustration at seeing me, a mere constable, being wrongfully accused for resolving a case none of the genuine constables could? Perhaps he also found it hard to bear seeing the Great Master being troubled.
Thanks to Constable Jeong, I now have time to prepare.
“Thank you. If we have any means, we will come up with a plan. Have you eaten yet?”
“If I can help in any way, I’ll gladly assist further. As for meals… it seems this month has seen a consecutive rush of releases for _Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes_. Haha.”
Constable Jeong scratched his head with an awkward laugh.
Even though constables are public servants, those at the bottom of the rung typically earn little pay.
Wicked constables have acted like the traffic police of decades past, using their authority to extort money from commoners.
Should I slip him some cash?
If I give money to someone who bravely came to voice their concerns against corruption, wouldn’t that just lower us both to the same level?
“While I’d like to show my appreciation for your courage, if I were to do that, we’d both become just like those others.”
Let’s start small. A clever person might push for the money.
“That’s correct.”
He nodded. He seems to be saying he won’t take a bribe.
Should I just send him off with just my thanks, or is it that his expression showed a hint of disappointment?
Oh, I see. He doesn’t actively ask for it, but if I slip money into his sleeve, he won’t refuse.
“Then please let me take care of the meal. I’ll treat you.”
I stood up smiling.
“Great Master, as I mentioned earlier…”
I know. I know. This is all about keeping face. There are ways around this.
“You seem to be misunderstanding. It’s not about Great Master Kang treating Constable Jeong to a meal. It’s about the Tea Book Club member treating you who loves Ho Pil’s books so much to a meal.”
Just a way for the manager to give a little service to a regular.
“Oh!”
I could see the last hint of guilt vanish from Constable Jeong’s eyes.
“If you have any concerns, we can enjoy the meal with a few of the Tea Book Club members, right?”
“Can we talk about the works of Ho Pil, too?”
Constable Jeong asked eagerly.
“Of course.”
“Just as I thought! My judgment about people is spot on!”
I don’t think so.
———
“They’ll likely come by in a few days.”
After finishing lunch, I recounted to the two ladies what had transpired with Constable Jeong.
“I suspected they’d act up, but I didn’t think they’d reach out to the government right away.”
I nodded at Im Ha-yeon’s comment.
I had anticipated there would be repercussions from the Shadowless Thief’s activities, but this is sooner than expected for the government to react.
Did I rob a little too enthusiastically?
“What should we do?”
Jeong Hyang looked at me with clear concern.
“You don’t have to worry too much. Didn’t we prepare a strategy together?”
It’s only a matter of time. I expected the government to come by at least once.
The Shadowless Thief incident might not be a copycat crime. Perhaps they believe there’s a deeper link between the Tea Bookstore and the Shadowless Thief. They’ll surely interrogate me.
“It’s a place that can fabricate charges, so we must be cautious.”
“Well then, we’ll have to make sure there are no actual crimes to eliminate.”
“Do you have any particular ideas?”
I do.
I need a way to ensure that the ongoing sales of _Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes_ won’t be disrupted.
“Now that it’s come to this, let’s take the opportunity to clear all doubts.”
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