Abolition of the Wicked - Chapter 123

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#123

“In any case, our elder isn’t quite a grown man yet. You know that, don’t you?”
Geom U-bin shook his head slowly.
“Don’t worry. He won’t do anything like Murim Participation. I promise.”
“Really?”
“For now.”
“So you’re saying he will someday?”
“How should I know? I’m no fortune teller. How could I possibly foresee the future?”
Go Shin-ji, nursing the whimpering Ji-u, spoke between feeds.
“We can’t keep him in our arms forever, can we? When the time comes, the young bird leaves the nest—that’s the way of the world, isn’t it?”
Jeon Mi-ryeo picked up on her words.
“But our eldest Lord already looks less like a fledgling and more like a parent bird.”
Go Shin-ji, who’d been thinking for a moment, nodded in agreement.
“When I look at what he does, that’s certainly true. Our eldest Lord shouldn’t go anywhere.”
“Hehehehe… If we keep causing trouble, surely our elder won’t bother with Murim Participation.”
None of the Bloodwind Four Lions offered a rebuke to Do Pyeong-su’s words—because it was, in fact, a “good idea.”
“Please, just don’t cause any trouble this year.”
Only Geom U-bin sighed.
The Bloodwind Four Lions simply pretended not to hear.
All the same, it had been a decent way to start the year.
In truth, Geom U-bin hadn’t been thinking much about Murim Participation either. He had no particular craving for fame, no desire to show off his martial prowess.
After finishing his meal, Geom U-bin set about attending to guests.
As Lord of Oseong Jang-won, it fell to him to greet visitors—a task that might look fine if his disciples did it, but if he left it to them, they’d likely cause a major disaster before the year was out.
After receiving guests all morning, he found he had a little free time around lunch, so he arranged to sit with O Ja-myeong, Bae Do-sang, and Kang Chan-sik.
O Ja-myeong and Bae Do-sang were men he’d met recently, but Kang Chan-sik had been away for a long time.
The last time they’d met was in front of the Jo Hwang estate when he caught the arsonist—two years had passed since then.
He’d seemed mature even then, but still looked like a child; now the young So Ju-seon had become a true youth, graceful and composed.
“I imagine running the Oseong Association keeps you quite busy.”
Despite his young age and high position, there wasn’t a shred of arrogance about him.
Still, Kang Chan-sik bowed his head respectfully.
“It’s all thanks to our great Lord.”
“What have I done? It’s all your ability as director. Speaking of which, the merchants around Hangju have been singing your praises lately.”
“I’m simply being careful in all things so as not to tarnish the name of Oseong.”
“Just continue leading as you have been. Tell me—the revenue isn’t so tight that things are difficult, are they?”
“Not at all. Since we no longer pay tribute, our income is actually quite comfortable. My subordinates say they’re satisfied working and receiving praise for their efforts. Hahaha!”
“I’m glad to hear you’re content. And…”
Geom U-bin’s attention turned to O Ja-myeong and Bae Do-sang.
“I hear the silk business has launched in earnest?”
Bae Do-sang answered.
“Yes. The quality of the silk produced is excellent—production can’t keep up with orders.”
“And the Longjing Tea?”
“We have reserves for now, but they’ll likely sell out before winter ends. Since we’re selling it at a reasonable price relative to its quality, people with an eye for goods are delighted. However, the profit margin is thin compared to sales. Don’t you think it would be best to break into the Imperial Palace market?”
“Tell me if you need anything. What about the merchant fleet?”
“Five ships finished construction four days ago. Since the Zhuan Dangjiang doesn’t freeze heavily even in winter, we’re planning to begin transport starting tomorrow.”
All the businesses were running smoothly.
They’d absorbed the Jo Hwang Clan’s operations entirely, and the enterprise had grown even larger than it had been under the clan.
Oseong Jang-won had become the wealthiest estate in Hangju, and soon would claim the title of richest in all of Zhejiang Province.
“I visited the Dongsi Doga this morning, and they didn’t have half as many guests as we do. It’s clear people hold Oseong Jang-won in higher regard.”
O Ja-myeong took up Bae Do-sang’s thread.
“Still, we cannot afford to dismiss the Dongsi Doga. Word is they’ve just become a Blood Covenant member of the Murim League.”
“A Blood Covenant with the Murim League helps in emergencies, but in ordinary times it’s just more money going out. Above all, you know the Lord pays no mind to the Dongsi Doga.”
At Bae Do-sang’s remark, Geom U-bin smiled faintly.
“The Dongsi Doga is a Murim clan—our paths don’t cross. There’s no reason to concern ourselves with them.”
“The Dongsi Doga pursues several businesses as well. Without commerce, they cannot maintain their power. There may come a time when we clash.”
“We’ll worry about that when it happens.”
After exchanging a few more words, Geom U-bin returned to his room and lay down on the bed.
Running a business seemed twice as difficult as cultivation practice.
‘Is there no one who can take over the business?’
If the Bloodwind Four Lions took it on, unimaginable disasters would certainly follow. Yet the Gangseо Samak didn’t seem to have anyone particularly suited for it either.
Se-hwa was already busy enough managing the Oseong Pavilion. In the end, there was no one to hand it to.
‘At this rate, I might end up becoming a merchant.’

***

Ten days had passed since Geom U-bin turned fifteen.
The Martial Training Grounds in the Back Garden of Oseong Jang-won, where the excitement of the Spring Festival had nearly faded, now shimmered with heat.
“Your combat forms are wavering!”
“Put more strength into your lower body!”
“No! Keep your feet lighter and your fists heavier!”
Do Pyeong-su, Yeon Geum-hong, and Jang Man-dok were providing meticulous instruction in combat forms. Yet something about their focus seemed scattered.
Their gazes kept drifting sidelong toward Go Seo-bang.
And for good reason—lately, Go Seo-bang’s initial techniques had grown noticeably more refined, and his power had increased substantially.
It was a change that had unfolded over mere days.
At this rate, Go Seo-bang seemed certain to take first place in the regular martial competition scheduled for ten days hence.
Seo Seok-san spoke to the three members of the Bloodwind Four Lions.
“It looks like the victor of this competition is already decided.”
Yeon Geum-hong let out a dismissive snort that made her nose run.
“Hmph! Training is training and nothing more. Besides, there are still ten days left.”
“Their skill gap will only widen in those ten days.”
Do Pyeong-su pressed the point.
“What trick did you pull? The way that boy’s strength suddenly surged—there’s got to be something else going on.”
“A trick? This is merely the natural fruit of my superior instruction as his master.”
“Of course you’d say something like that.”
The three studied Go Seo-bang’s cultivation practice carefully. Certainly, his movements and the power he drew from them had been different since two days ago.
‘There’s definitely something going on here. I should test that boy.’
Seo Seok-san’s voice cut directly into Do Pyeong-su’s thoughts.
“Don’t lay a hand on my disciple. It won’t end with just one or two bones broken.”
“Why would we touch the boy?”
Seo Seok-san offered a sinister smile.
“Your expression alone is readable enough, even without being one of his seniors.”
With Seo Seok-san taking such a stance, testing Go Seo-bang was out of the question. After training ended, the three gathered together.
“That bastard Seok-san is giving us a headache again.”
The book incident may have stemmed from their own misunderstanding, but Go Seo-bang represented a real threat. If Go Seo-bang won first place in the competition, they’d have to endure Seo Seok-san’s arrogance for at least three months.
Go Seo-bang’s recent progress was not a gap in skill the other three could close with whatever time remained.
“What method could that bastard Seok-san have used?”
“Could he have given the boy spirit medicine?”
Do Pyeong-su, reading Jang Man-dok’s expression, replied.
“No. The spirit medicine is under Man-dok’s watch, and none has gone missing.”
“He might have acquired some new supply.”
“Where? Is it even possible for him to obtain it without us knowing?”
Spirit medicine wasn’t some herb that could be freely harvested from any hillside. The notion that Seo Seok-san could procure it without their knowledge was impossible.
Yeon Geum-hong spoke up.
“From here on, keep a close eye on the boy. Watching that bastard Seok-san is too difficult, so we should focus all our efforts on Go Seo-bang.”
“Why not just drag that boy off and break one of his legs?”
Yeon Geum-hong cut off Do Pyeong-su’s words.
“Do you really want to do that?”
The moment Do Pyeong-su imagined breaking Go Seo-bang’s leg, he shook his head vigorously.
“No, I suppose not.”
From that day forward, Go Seo-bang became the focus of their intense surveillance. They made no effort to hide the fact that they were watching him either.
There was nothing Go Seo-bang could do about them even if he noticed. So it was only Go Seo-bang who suffered under the constant observation.
Yet Go Seo-bang endured steadfastly.
Even the stares of the three that followed him to the latrine itself could not break his resolve.
‘I must place first and make Master proud!’
After learning that Seo Seok-san had intended to write a manual of martial arts for him, his respect for his master had grown even deeper.
The way to repay that kindness was to faithfully honor Seo Seok-san’s will, and placing first in this competition would surely bring his master the greatest joy.
Before, he had entered the brewery cautiously, but since caution could not shield him from the gaze of three masters, he walked in boldly this time.
Seo Seok-san was waiting inside the brewery.
“Those bastards are still out there, aren’t they?”
“The three masters’ eyes haven’t left me for a moment.”
“Hehehehe! They must be sweating bullets. But they’ll never figure this out.”
Seo Seok-san pulled a single bottle from among the countless earthen jars lining the brewery. At the mere thought of its taste, wrinkles formed unbidden on Go Seo-bang’s brow.
Wine was naturally bitter, but the wine Seo Seok-san offered tasted as though someone had taken the most unpleasant bitterness imaginable and multiplied it fourfold.
“The flavor leaves much to be desired, but for the body, it’s incomparable.”
Go Seo-bang drained two cups in succession. His face contorted at the sheer intensity of the bitterness.
“Because of this lately, I feel as though my body has returned to my twenties. But surely I shouldn’t be drinking something this precious—shouldn’t you be the one taking it, Master?”
“If I drink it, I’ll only lose sleep at night. This time, I absolutely must flatten the noses of those other fools.”
“I shall win without fail!”
He left the brewery with a satisfied smile and was heading toward the back garden when Jang Man-dok appeared.
Among the Bloodwind Four Lions, Jang Man-dok was the most difficult to read precisely because Go Seo-bang had never exchanged a single word with him until now.
Just as he tried to sidestep the spot where Jang Man-dok stood, the man blocked his path.
“Master Jang, what’s the matter?”
Jang Man-dok sniffed the air, catching Go Seo-bang’s scent.
Like a deer frozen before an enormous bear, Go Seo-bang could not move a muscle.
After sniffing for a long while, Jang Man-dok waved his hand dismissively, gesturing for Go Seo-bang to leave.
Go Seo-bang bowed deeply and hurried away.
“Phew! At this rate, I’ll never live out my natural lifespan.”
The moment Go Seo-bang vanished from sight, Do Pyeong-su and Yeon Geum-hong appeared before Jang Man-dok.
“Did you find anything out? What? Wine? What kind of wine? Oseong Wine? Saegiuju? Neither, you say? A type of wine unidentifiable? He came out of the brewery without smelling of wine itself? You’re certain he actually drank something? Is there such a thing as wine that suddenly elevates one’s internal power?”
Jang Man-dok could offer no answers, and Yeon Geum-hong’s expression was equally bewildered.
“We can’t let Seok-san get away with this. Let’s search the brewery at once.”
The three of them, agreeing with Do Pyeong-su, ransacked the brewery thoroughly. Yet they could find no other wine.
“It seems clear that this wine—whatever it is—must be the reason he’s grown so much stronger…….”
“Right. If we can’t find it, Seo-bang will definitely take first place.”
“And we’ll have to watch Seok-san swagger about for three months.”
“What if it doesn’t end in three months?”
A cloud of anxiety was slowly gathering above their heads.
“How on earth do we find that wine……?”
Do Pyeong-su’s eyes narrowed.
“Let’s call Ma-o-ryang!”
Yeon Geum-hong let out a sigh and rebuked him.
“You want to tell that bastard where we are? That’s like burning down three houses to catch a flea. Ugh!”
“What? Do you have a better idea?”
A smile played at the corners of Yeon Geum-hong’s mouth.
“When it comes to wine, there’s an old fellow who’s just as good at finding it as Ma-o-ryang, isn’t there?”
An idea suddenly crystallized in Do Pyeong-su’s mind.
“Noh Dae-sul!”
“If the king of beggars can’t find a wine that’s neither Oseong Wine nor Saegiuju, then no one can.”
“That’s true. He’s got a nose for drink like nobody’s business. But where do we find that old man?”
“We can find out by asking his disciple.”
They immediately went into the city and found So Gi-cheon.
So Gi-cheon, receiving a visit from three of the Hangju masters, was startled as though he’d encountered the spirits of his dead parents.
“W-what is the matter?”
Do Pyeong-su asked with a grave expression.
“Where is Noh Dae-sul?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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