Chapter 19

## Chapter 19. Why Did You Kill Him?

"Will you mean?"

On our way out after meeting the last suspect, Bok Man-chun.

We confirmed the story we heard from Bok Man-chun with Cheongcheon Podo.

"Yes, it's true. Mr. Heo wrote a will shortly before he died."

"Why didn't you tell us earlier?"

In response to my question, Cheongcheon Podo answered with his usual expressionless face.

"We are still verifying the will. No one knows its exact contents, and we haven't found where it is. If rumors were to spread in this situation, it could cause even more chaos, so we kept it under wraps..."

Cheongcheon Podo muttered, "I didn't expect Bok Man-chun to bring it up first in that situation."

In other words, Cheongcheon Podo didn't consider me and Aek Yeon-ho to be trustworthy.

'Now that I think about it, it makes sense...'

Without Cheongcheon Podo's cooperation, it would be extremely difficult for me to catch the culprit.

I stopped and looked at Cheongcheon Podo with a serious expression.

"Podo, this case is very important to our Wulin Alliance. A civilian may have been killed by someone who knows martial arts. If we don't find the culprit soon, there could be more victims."

"I understand."

"Podo, you might find it hard to trust us, who suddenly got involved in the investigation, but the Wulin Alliance works for the justice of the jianghu and the safety of the people, not for personal gain. I hope you understand that."

"...Yes."

Cheongcheon Podo nodded with a troubled expression, and I bowed respectfully.

"I ask for your help. As a member of the Wulin Alliance, please assist us in catching the culprit."

I emphasized the term "Wulin Alliance" several times to subtly pressure Cheongcheon Podo.

[Brother, when did we become part of the Wulin Alliance?]

Aek Yeon-ho sent a mental message, sounding bewildered, but I ignored it.

Do you know how hard it is to add a line to your resume?

Then, Cheongcheon Podo, who had been tightly pursing his lips, let out a light sigh.

"Alright. From now on, I will share all information with you."

"Thank you very much."

"...There are a few inaccuracies in the rumors about Mr. Heo."

Mr. Heo, known as a notorious usurer.

However, Cheongcheon Podo revealed that there was another side to him.

"The interest rates he charged were not particularly high, and he would sometimes consider the circumstances of his debtors."

"So, he was a kind usurer?"

"Something like that."

Cheongcheon Podo continued with his usual expressionless face.

"He also donated a lot to the nearby orphanage."

"Why orphans?"

"Because he was an orphan himself. Many orphans were indebted to Mr. Heo. He supported them so they could attend school and study if they wanted to."

Aek Yeon-ho muttered, surprised.

"I thought he was a heartless villain because he was a usurer..."

The benevolent acts of a usurer seemed out of place.

Aek Yeon-ho frowned, wondering if these acts had any connection to the murder.

But I didn't think it was directly related to the case.

"Most of those orphans ended up working in the brothels and gambling dens Mr. Heo ran. It was a kind of investment for the future."

A method often used by the evil sects to bring in children young and make them loyal later by exploiting their sense of gratitude.

Cheongcheon Podo nodded at my speculation.

"Of course, that was often the case... but there were exceptions. I was one of those orphans."

"Really?"

We were taken aback by this unexpected confession.

Aek Yeon-ho asked, "You, Podo?"

"I grew up without a father, and my mother passed away when I was young. If it weren't for Mr. Heo's support, I wouldn't have become a constable."

Cheongcheon Podo spoke matter-of-factly, but Aek Yeon-ho looked uncomfortable, as if he had committed a sin.

"I'm sorry. We didn't know about your background..."

"Don't worry about it. I have no intention of letting my personal feelings interfere with this case. That's why I didn't mention it."

"..."

Cheongcheon Podo continued with his usual expressionless face.

We walked in silence for a while and parted ways at a fork in the road.

"Since it's late, let's visit the crime scene tomorrow."

Mr. Heo's body was found at his residence, which is now closed.

"See you tomorrow."

"Yes. We'll come to the government office early in the morning."

Cheongcheon Podo returned to the government office, and we headed back to our inn.

I watched Cheongcheon Podo's silent figure as he walked ahead.

"Indeed..."

Aek Yeon-ho sighed in admiration beside me. When I asked what he meant, he pointed at Cheongcheon Podo's back.

"He's so cool. A man should be like that—solid and deep. Plus, he has a heart-wrenching backstory... Did you know, Brother, that men like him are very popular, even if they have plain faces?"

"What do I care about that?"

It was my mistake to expect anything from this guy.

I sighed, and Aek Yeon-ho asked, indignant.

"Hey, why were you looking at Podo's back like that? Is it because he's cool?"

To that ridiculous question, I shrugged.

"It's just a habit. I observe people, analyze them, and keep notes."

This habit had helped me survive for decades in the Blood Sect.

* * *

That night.

After meeting all the suspects, we returned to the inn and decided to meet in my room after cleaning up.

"Brother, who do you think is the culprit?"

Aek Yeon-ho, who had just finished washing, said with a face as white as tofu.

I asked him first.

"Who do you think it is?"

"I kept thinking about it while washing, and I still think Heo Il, the son, is suspicious."

Aek Yeon-ho explained why he found Heo Il suspicious.

To summarize...

"Just a gut feeling?"

"It's a feeling! That scum is definitely the culprit!"

Aek Yeon-ho passionately argued that his judgment of people had never been wrong.

I sighed.

"All of them are suspicious."

1. The mistress who often argued with him over the brothel's management.

2. The wayward son who started causing trouble as if waiting for his father to die.

3. The only first-class martial artist among them, a former ronin bodyguard.

'They all seem suspicious. And the will Mr. Heo left... Has it not been found? Or is someone hiding it?'

If Mr. Heo really intended to leave all his wealth to the person named in the will, we could narrow down the suspects based on who that person is.

The person named in the will wouldn't have killed Mr. Heo.

'There's one more thing that bothers me.'

The martial arts technique used to kill Mr. Heo was familiar to me. It might have come from the Blood Sect.

I would need to verify this.

"Hmm..."

"Brother, you think it's Heo Il, right? Right?"

"Go to sleep."

I stood up to clear my thoughts and opened the window.

In the distance, a red glow was visible.

Is someone setting off fireworks at this hour?

No, that's unlikely...

"Looks like there's a fire somewhere."

"Seems like a big one."

While it's true that the most entertaining spectacle is a fight or a disaster, I have no interest in gawking at others' misfortunes, so I was about to close the window.

But the location of the fire was not where I had roughly noted earlier.

"Wait. Could it be...!"

I stopped mid-sentence, turned, and rushed out of the room.

Aek Yeon-ho's voice came from behind as I hurried out of the inn.

"Hey, Brother! Where are you going? Wait for me!"

We ran through the night streets and soon met Cheongcheon Podo, who was also rushing towards us.

"There's a fire at Mr. Heo's residence."

He had his usual stern expression, but his voice was slightly agitated.

"Are you coming from the scene?"

"No. I heard the news and was on my way to the government office to fetch you."

But why...

Before I could ask, Cheongcheon Podo turned and said,

"I'll guide you. This way."

However, when we arrived at Mr. Heo's residence, the fire had spread so much that it was uncontrollable.

Whoosh!

The mansion, like a palace, was engulfed in a massive blaze. The red flames soared high into the sky.

"Bring more water!"

"Hurry up!"

"Is anyone inside?"

The fire brigade was busy carrying buckets of water.

It took until dawn to bring the fire under control.

The residence was almost completely destroyed, and a half-burned body was found.

"...Heo Il is dead."

Cheongcheon Podo, with his usual expressionless face, informed us that one of the main suspects was dead.

* * *

That afternoon.

"Heo Il is believed to have set the fire and committed suicide."

Before us lay a body that looked like a pile of charcoal.

"How do you know it was suicide?"

Cheongcheon Podo handed me a letter.

"This morning. A suicide note from Heo Il to me."

"..."

I unfolded