Abolition of the Wicked - Chapter 131

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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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#131

The Bloodwind Four Lions stood side by side, arms spread wide, beaming with delight.
“Come to Grandfather!”
“No, that grandfather’s mean. Come to Grandmother!”
Do Pyeong-su shot a warning at Jang Man-dok, who was reaching toward his robes.
“Pull out that Ice Candy Pot from your pocket and you lose your hand.”
Jang Man-dok flinched and hastily withdrew his reaching fingers. Go Shin-ji’s lips curved into an unbroken smile as she watched Ji-u toddle toward the Bloodwind Four Lions.
There was no denying how reassuring it felt—the Four treating Ji-u with such affection.
“That’s not necessarily something to celebrate.”
Sang Nam-jae, standing behind her, whispered in a voice smaller than a mosquito’s wing-beat.
“Why not?”
“Because you don’t know the Bloodwind Four Lions…….”
“Aren’t they the greatest masters in Murim?”
“They are.”
“So what’s wrong with masters like that being fond of our Ji-u? You think they’d harm her?”
Sang Nam-jae turned away, watching the Bloodwind Four Lions clap their hands and make faces to win Ji-u’s affection.
“They might not be the Bloodwind Four Lions at all.”
The four men, entirely unconcerned about being doubted, redoubled their wooing as Ji-u drew near.
And once again, Do Pyeong-su emerged victorious.
“Ha-ha-ha-ha! Children always know a good man when they see one!”
Yeon Geum-hong muttered under her breath, “Good man my foot,” and whispered to Seo Seok-san.
“Something doesn’t feel right. How could Ji-u go to Pyeong-su two times in a row?”
“It’s an ill omen. Something’s going to happen.”
Jang Man-dok nodded in agreement.
Go Shin-ji was not the only one laughing at the sight of the Bloodwind Four Lions.
Geom U-bin, passing by, wore a satisfied expression as well.
It occurred to her that the Bloodwind Four Lions were beginning to understand, little by little, what it meant to be a grandfather and grandmother.
“Master, a guest has arrived from the Sect.”
The guest was So Gi-cheon.
Since he visited once or twice a month even when there was nothing urgent, his arrival seemed routine enough.
But this visit came with clear business, and the news he brought was rather shocking.
“I don’t understand why my master specifically told me to deliver this news to Oseong Jang-won.”
“What news?”
“Someone who appears to be Ma Gun-ja’s predecessor has turned up in Sichuan Province.”
“What?”
“Why so surprised? It is startling, though—nearly thirty years have passed since his disappearance. Rumors long held that he was already dead. But if the one who appeared truly is Ma Gun-ja’s predecessor, the Murim will be turned on its head, or so they say.”
At the mention of Ma Gun-ja’s name, this could not pass quietly.
“Tell me more.”
“There’s not much. Apparently someone carrying Ma Gun-ja’s Muk Ryongdo was spotted briefly at an inn in Seoungdo in Sichuan Province. I’m told the Muk Ryongdo was a prized blade Ma Gun-ja never parted with during his lifetime. Aside from that, nothing else is known yet. But why did your master want this news brought to Oseong Jang-won so urgently—especially to you, Geom?”
“Because it’s Ma Gun-ja.”
“Well, yes, but—”
“Is he still in Sichuan Province?”
“The Sect is searching with all their strength, so they’ll find him soon enough.”
Geom U-bin considered this, went into the room, wrote out a letter for Noh Dae-sul, and returned.
“Send this to Bang-ju urgently, will you? And there’s something I need to discuss with my master and uncles…….”
The perceptive So Gi-cheon asked no further questions.
“It’s about you and the woman from Fu-lian.”
So Gi-cheon spoke with bright eyes.
“It seems they give alms when crowds are around, but not when no one’s watching.”
So Gi-cheon finished speaking and departed Oseong Jang-won.
The moment So Gi-cheon left, Geom U-bin went to the Bloodwind Four Lions.
The Bloodwind Four Lions were so absorbed watching Ji-u’s antics that they lost all sense of time.
Ji-u, clutching the toy Go Shin-ji had given her and giggling, caught sight of Geom U-bin, dropped the toy, and stretched out her arms.
“A toy over your brother?”
“Ooooo!”
When Ji-u pressed for him to be held, Geom U-bin slipped his arms beneath the child’s armpits and lifted him up.
A laugh far louder than any toy could provoke burst from Ji-u’s throat.
“Looks like Ji-u’s taken a liking to you, brother.”
Do Pyeong-su’s remark drew a response from Seo Seok-san.
“What woman in this world could refuse him? Even an infant wouldn’t be an exception.”
“You lot have no filter in front of a child.”
Yeon Geum-hong spoke, then glanced sideways at Go Shin-ji. The woman approached with measured steps and watched intently as Geom U-bin held Ji-u.
“The disciples were only joking.”
Go Shin-ji fixed her gaze on Geom U-bin, then folded her fingers as if counting something.
Geom U-bin looked flustered. “There’s really no need to calculate that…”
A deep sigh from Go Shin-ji cut him off. Without a word, she opened her arms, and Geom U-bin quickly handed Ji-u over.
Ji-u’s face twisted instantly, and tears came. Go Shin-ji carried the crying child away without ceremony.
“The little thing’s got an eye for men, that’s for sure.”
Do Pyeong-su whispered to Geom U-bin.
“Brother, fourteen years isn’t an insurmountable age gap…”
Geom U-bin waited until Ji-u and Go Shin-ji were out of earshot, then spoke with a gravity that hadn’t been there before.
“I just heard from Gi-cheon about the Murong Blade.”
At that name, the Bloodwind Four Lions’ faces turned rigid as stone.
“Did you say the Murong Blade?”
“Yes. They said it was our late master’s weapon—is that correct?”
“That it is. A blade our late master always carried with him, forged with blood and sweat by a close friend’s son.”
“Then there’s no chance our master lost it of his own accord.”
“He might have given it to someone for some reason.”
“According to Gi-cheon, there’s a rumor circulating that because of the Murong Blade, this Miao man might have been our master’s predecessor.”
All of the Bloodwind Four Lions shook their heads at that.
“That makes no sense. Our master said clearly when he passed that there were five of us disciples. If a predecessor had existed, he would surely have mentioned it.”
“I agree. Either way, our master’s Murong Blade has surfaced. We can’t just sit idle.”
“Right. Whatever the reason, if someone has taken it improperly, we need to reclaim it.”
Seo Seok-san, who had spoken, sighed as he looked at Do Pyeong-su.
“What?”
“That’s why Ji-u went to you. I had a feeling something ill was coming.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to move somewhere quieter? If Haowen comes here, there’ll be damage to the property.”
In response to Go Seo-bang’s words, Se-hwa trimmed her nails as she spoke. “We should flatten Haowen in a crowded place. That way, afterward, no petty thugs will dare so much as lay a finger on Oseong Jang-won.”
Gang Seo Samak, exchanging glances with the others, murmured thoughtfully.
“Sometimes it’s nice to get prodded like this.”
“Pardon?”
“When else would we get to taste real combat? If we just cultivate Yeongong at Oseong Jang-won our whole lives, maybe we’d even make the Top Ten Masters of the Land. But what good is that? What’s the point of mastering Martial Arts no one knows about and has no use for, even if we become one of the Top Ten?”
Since they were receiving instruction in Martial Arts from the Bloodwind Four Lions, becoming one of the Top Ten Masters wasn’t mere fantasy.
“Is that so? Should we move somewhere quieter then?”
“What? You’re changing your mind so easily? Don’t tell me you’ve developed a taste for hitting people too, Se-hwa.”
“It does have a certain… appeal, the way it lands so satisfyingly. Ha!”
But they had no time to relocate before Haowen arrived at their door.
The number of men who pulled back the curtain and entered was only twelve—not many. But when Gang Seo Samak saw who stood at the very front, surprise flickered across his face.
The man leading Haowen’s disciples recognized Gang Seo Samak at a glance.
“Well, if my eyes don’t deceive me, that’s Gang Seo Samak, the one who broke wind so impressively back in Jiangxi Province.”
Baek Yeon-gwang swept his graying hair back as he spoke. “Baek Yeon-gwang of Cham Ma Do defecting to Haowen? I remember you calling them rat-like bastards once.”
“You still remember something I said twenty years ago? You’ve got sharp wits. But why is Gang Seo Samak at the Oseong Association? Don’t tell me you three are actually running the Oseong Association yourselves.”
Go Seo-bang waved his hand dismissively. “We’re just workers at Oseong Jang-won. The Association had friction with Haowen, so we came to teach them a lesson. I never expected to run into you.”
“Gang Seo Samak working as laborers at Oseong Jang-won? You’re not the Hangju disciples by any chance?”
“Don’t talk nonsense. The lords have their pride—they wouldn’t stoop to trade words with riffraff like Haowen. But surely you’re not the strongest one you’ve brought along?”
Certainly, the Baek Yeon-gwang of twenty years past had been stronger than Gang Seo Samak alone.
That much was clear.

“Do you really think so?”
Baek Yeon-gwang’s lips curved into a thin, bloodless smile.
“Don’t compare me to the Cham Ma Do of old days. Even at a late age, Fortuitous Encounters still find their way to a man.”
Go Seo-bang let out a soft chuckle.
“True enough. There are such encounters. In any case, since we’ve met someone we once had ties to, if we’re careful, we might settle this with words.”
Just then, two figures emerged from behind Baek Yeon-gwang.
“This isn’t something words will solve.”
They were strangers to him, yet their peculiar dress revealed their identities at a glance.
One was tall and gaunt; the other barely cleared five feet and carried a weight that seemed to make him waddle.
What they shared was swarthy skin and black gloves stretched across their hands.
“Dok Jeong Ssang-goe?”
Even Baek Yeon-gwang was taken aback, though Dok Jeong Ssang-goe were hardly the sort to pledge themselves to Haowen.
As their epithet suggested, they wielded the Poison Technique and operated primarily in Fukien Province—ranked higher than even the Gangseо Samak.
Men capable of founding a sect of their own, if they wished, had thrown in with Haowen. That alone was remarkable.
“Lord Baek, we’ve been paid to do a job. Let us finish it.”
At those words from Dok Jeong—the one called Cheon Ma—Baek Yeon-gwang nodded.
“Of course. This place must be mine, after all.”
Gal Ma-pyeong, who had been listening quietly, rose to his feet.
“Are you two the strongest ones here?”
No one answered, as though they didn’t grasp his meaning.
“I’ll have to pin you down and ask later.”
Gal Ma-pyeong glanced around briefly, then fixed his gaze on Baek Yeon-gwang.
“A lord would know where his headquarters lies, wouldn’t he?”
Baek Yeon-gwang, who had been wearing a startled expression, broke into a soft laugh.
“Gangseо Samak. It’s been years since I’ve heard that name, and you’ve lost your nerve. A pity. Today I’ll have your heads cut clean and sent to Oseong Jang-won. And you—”
Baek Yeon-gwang’s gaze fell upon Se-hwa.
“—will make a fine gift for the Third Agent. I’m sure he’ll be delighted.”
Se-hwa shook her head.
“So it’s true—every idiot in the world makes plans. Right up until things fall apart.”
“I’ll take that fool.”
Go Seo-bang’s words were echoed by Gal Ma-pyeong and O Tong-su.
“I’ll face the Poison Demon.”
“Then the Positive Demon falls to me.”
“So you’re leaving me with the small fry?”
“Se-hwa.”
Go Seo-bang’s expression was grave as he spoke her name.
“Why?”
“Your martial arts are superior to these three, it’s true. But Murim isn’t a place where raw strength always carries the day. Consider this experience. There will be plenty more fights ahead.”
Se-hwa, unable to argue the point, accepted with a slight shrug of her shoulders.
“Fine. But next time, the strongest opponent is mine.”
“I swear it.”
“Oh, and—am I allowed to kill them?”
“Of course. When we were known as Gangseо Samak, these three were far worse than we ever were. The rest are here to murder us, no doubt. In a situation like this, Master Yeon Geum-hong wouldn’t object.”
Se-hwa drew a deep breath.
Knocking someone down was one thing; fighting to kill was another. The mindset could never be the same.
“What are these fools babbling about right in front of us?”
Baek Yeon-gwang bellowed, drawing his blade and lunging forward—but in that instant,
Go Seo-bang, still seated, hurled himself toward Baek Yeon-gwang. The chair he’d been sitting on was now in his hands.

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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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