episode_0028

Jagwi is a port. A port city.

One might ask if there is a port city on the river, but the water volume of the Chang River accounted for one-third of the total water flow in the Central Plains.

However, just because a city is located on the Chang River does not mean it thrives solely on commerce.

Jagwi was exactly like that.

The roads that stretched out to the land were mediocre, and above all, it was close to Uichang.

Uichang was a major road leading to Jungyeong City.

So, where the road and the water met, there was great development.

However, Jagwi, located next to the formidable natural obstacles of the Wuhyeop, had no reason to stop by on the way up.

The Wuhyeop was considered the most beautiful of the three gorges on the Chang River.

Therefore, Jagwi, situated at the entrance to the Wuhyeop, was popular among tourists.

In other words, it meant that there was no point in waiting to see if there was a ticket office at Cheong’s inn.

In fact, if you wanted to join the upper class, you just had to visit the branch of the ticket office.

By Cheong’s standards, he was a talent who would stand up and bow respectfully to be taken away by the ticket office.

He would even readily carry someone on his back throughout the journey without hesitation.

But he had to accept nicknames like “Backpack Girl.”

It meant a strange woman riding on someone’s back.

But Cheong didn’t know any of this.

He didn’t know anything at all.

He never bothered to find out.

If he knew, he could have used it to his advantage, but he didn’t seek out what he didn’t know.

Anyway, in Cheong’s mind, the inn was a place for chance encounters.

It sounded absurd, but in a way, it wasn’t entirely wrong.

As Cheong watched the tourists passing by the inn, a young man suddenly appeared, revealing his white teeth.

He was quite cheeky.

“Oh, there’s a flower blooming here without an owner.”

Cheong looked around.

The inn was actually quite quiet, and even the guests were ordinary or below average in appearance.

As tourists were generally well-off, meals were taken at restaurants, and drinks were consumed at bars.

An inn that did a little bit of everything in a tourist city was used by wanderers like Cheong or slightly desperate tourists.

There seemed to be no suitable flowers around.

Cheong raised his index finger, wondering if he should point at himself.

The young man smiled with his eyes.

“Me? Really? Why?”

Cheong was slightly surprised.

“I am Chanamjeong. Perhaps a beautiful lady like yourself could bestow the honor of hearing that name.”

Cheong gazed intently at Chanamjeong.

There was no other reason.

-598, this guy, what’s his status…?

Come to think of it, I really endured for a long time.

Without any proper means of response, enduring the pouring nuclear bombardment with tears, those moments of humiliation…

But here, there’s someone to kill?

My fighting spirit has been reignited after a long time.

Cheong chuckled. It was a cold smile.

“I’m Seomun Cheong.”

“Ah! Seomun lady! By the way, the lady’s companions seem quite indifferent.”

“Why?”

“It’s not that, but how could a beautiful lady like yourself be left alone like this?”

“I’m alone.”

“Ah, I see. Indeed, that’s the case. I could tell at a glance. There wouldn’t be a group leaving a celestial being who descended to this world alone.”

Look at this guy’s mouth.

What’s your name? Did you come alone?

Oh, have you been to a club before?

Shall we go out for a drink next? Are you coming?

“So?”

“Haha, the truth is, I received a summons from Hwangsang to go to Bukgyeong. If I get an official appointment, I’ll be busy, so I came out to catch some fresh air before that.”

“Hmm.”

Cheong was noncommittal.

In the end, isn’t he becoming a government official?

Surprisingly, Cheong’s thoughts aligned with common sentiment.

The martial artists of this era tended to underestimate the government officials.

It was all thanks to the great senior, Mucheondaese.

“Well, actually, my father is serving as a government official. He helped me out a bit this time.”

What a guy.

How can he boast so proudly about becoming a government official through nepotism?

Is this the spirit of Confucianism passed down from ancient times?

Surprisingly, Cheong admitted the truth!

This is the essence of the 5,000-year history of China, Guoshi!

A father’s connections are the same as a son’s connections.

Although it’s not dignified to boast in public, it was definitely something to be admired by everyone.

“So, I was thinking of hosting a boat party tonight, and I was wondering if you would like to join me.”

“A boat party…”

“Oh. It’s not just a small boat like you imagine. It’s a large palace-like boat where we can enjoy fine cuisine and good drinks while admiring the scenery of the river. If you could spare some time, it would be a great favor to me.”

In the end, it turned into “Let’s have a drink.”

But with fine cuisine and drinks. Most likely expensive.

If you refuse, wouldn’t it be a huge loss in life?

Cheong was swayed.

“Well, I actually wanted to ask you for a favor.”

“Oh! Thank you, Nangja!”

“No problem.”

“Then, I will send someone to pick you up. Should they come to this inn?”

Cheong nodded.

“Yes. That’s right. Then.”

—-

Channamjeong had an easy life.

Channamjeong was the precious only son of Cha Sundan, the Chief Inspector of the Northern Inspectorate.

The Chief Inspector was a high-ranking official under the Imperial Inspectorate of the Ministry of Finance, with the powerful authority to conduct inspections of local officials alone, so his power was immense.

Moreover, he was the only son of the prestigious Cha family.

Therefore, Channamjeong could have everything he wanted with just a snap of his fingers.

It was the worst way to raise a child.

Channamjeong could have anything.

So he wanted what he couldn’t have.

What was that exactly?

Yes! Let’s forcefully take a woman who refuses!

That was Channamjeong’s conclusion.

And he committed his long-awaited first crime, and got caught right away.

How well can a young boy cover up his first crime?

His father, Cha Sundan, simply said, “A man can do that.”

It was the moment when the greatest rapist was born.

Cha Sundan was actually unjustly accused.

Forcing a woman who refuses is something that men often try at least once.

So even to Cha Sundan, who loved his son dearly, it was just a matter of “That’s a bit much.”

Putting aside the fact that he had to sacrifice his connections and give up his position for that vile hobby, it was an expression of negative energy that he thought things would get better if he struggled and suffered.

In any case, all crimes become bolder over time.

Channamjeong was no exception, so at first, he only targeted easy prey like beggars.

Next was a widow, then a married woman, and now he had reached a beautiful unmarried woman.

Cheong wasn’t particularly unlucky to fall into his hands.

It wasn’t due to fate or the influence of the heavens.

Cheong was simply there because she was convenient.

Although she was dressed plainly and sitting in an inn in the pleasure district, it was as if she was saying she was poor.

A poor inspector may have some skills.

Her face was pretty enough to be called beautiful.

“Hey, did you see her reaction? She pretended to resist, but as soon as I mentioned my father’s name, she came over. How about we make a bet on what kind of reaction she’ll show?”

On the carriage, Chanamjeong chatted with his attendants.

“If her demeanor softens and she starts crying, I’ll propose to her when she’s in a slump.”

“I’ll propose there too.”

“Tsk. A woman like that is no fun. It’s more entertaining to curse, cause a scene, and stir up trouble.”

The conversation was absurd.

“But she’s not just any woman who goes around pretending to be a recluse. A woman who imitates a recluse is just as cunning as a man, my lord.”

“Indeed, you’re right.”

Chanamjeong chuckled and puffed out his chest.

It was time for the servant who had gone to fetch someone to return.

Chanamjeong licked his lips.

Not even knowing what trouble he was getting himself into.

It was time to be crushed by the disaster he had brought upon himself.

—

“Wow, a boat.”

Cheong exclaimed.

As Chanamjeong had stated, it wasn’t exactly a palace.

But it was still the size of a 20-passenger fishing boat.

It was a fateful vessel that every blue-collar worker had to board at least once in their lives.

Despite being dragged along, there was some fun to be had.

In fact, Cheong considered the Central Plains civilization to be somewhere above primitive, so a boat of this size seemed impressive.

It was like praising a newborn baby as a genius for making any sound at all.

“Wow, there’s a boat! Wow, a three-story building! Wow, there’s a carriage! Ancient China is amazing!” he thought.

A pleasure-seeker from the Central Plains came to greet Cheong.

“Welcome, noble guest, thank you for coming.”

“It’s nothing. Just here to enjoy the feast.”

“Haha. Come this way. Let me show you my pride and joy, Soyango.”

“Oh, are you the owner?”

“Haha, I don’t really flaunt my boat, so I can’t call myself the owner. But I am the master.”

As he climbed onto the deck, Cheong was amazed by the beautiful sight he had never seen before in his life.

A table full of various delicacies was spread out in a T-shape.

If this was the level of hospitality, even a villain like -601 would be impressed a little.

Wait, what’s this guy up to?

Has his villainy increased because he couldn’t stand it anymore?